The June 2023 Issue of In Business Magazine

The health and well-being of your employees matters. UnitedHealthcare is here to help you guide them toward brighter days ahead. From finding new ways of controlling costs to connecting them with medical care and mental health support, it’s good to have a health plan that’s on their side and in your corner.

New grads for a new economy

Accelerating innovation

By 2032, Arizona State University will be graduating 10,000 engineering students per year. Those graduates will be needed to fill the high-tech, high-wage jobs being created in Arizona through the New Economy Initiative. Building on ASU’s role as a catalyst for economic growth and resilience, the New Economy Initiative prioritizes accessible, high-quality education to create Arizona’s future workforce and innovative research that helps to attract, grow and retain high-tech companies.

Aliaksandr “Sasha” Sharstniou (right) and Bruno Azeredo, an assistant professor of manufacturing engineering. Sharstniou is preparing to begin a new position at Intel in Arizona after earning his doctorate in materials science and engineering from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

GUEST COLUMNIST

48 Alcock & Associates’ Pro-Community Work

This month spotlighting Alcock & Associates, Tyler Butler’s series explores the myriad ways businesses give back and the positive ways their programs impact our community.

22

“Why Will the Semiconductor Industry

Be a Game Changer for Arizona?,” “On the Move” and “ASU Is Central to AZ’s Semi Activity”

SPECIAL SECTION

FEATURES

38 Dealing with DEI Pushback

Amri B. Johnson offers 11 strategies for business leaders to defuse resistance in their organization.

42 Companies Can’t Afford to Lose Focus on Talent Retention

As companies face economic uncertainty, a strong talent retention strategy is crucial — and Yolanda Slan discusses key strategy options.

49 How to Upskill Employees during a Tight Hiring Landscape

Brian Anders puts the focus on helping employees align with their organization’s overall growth strategy.

DEPARTMENTS

11 Guest Editor

Lisa Urias, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, introduces the “Tourism” issue.

12 Feedback

Jennifer McCabe, Craig Culy and Kenneth Schutz respond to In Business Magazine’s burning business question of the month.

13 Briefs

“Joining Forces to Combat Local Auto/Diesel Technician Shortage,” “Dailies Top Stories,” “Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy,” “Nonprofit Solar Co-Op Helps Small Businesses Go Solar” and “Increase in Extreme Weather Patterns Draws Development Interest by United Water Restoration Group”

15 By the Numbers

As GenAI chatbots become a marketing tool, they are helping businesses achieve positive results.

16 Startups

“In Revenue Capital’s New Strategy in Sourcing Revenue”

17 CRE

COVER STORY

30

Tourism & Taxation: How the bed tax and major events benefit business

As they share with In Business Magazine, local destination marketing organizations (DMOs, formerly called Convention & Visitors Bureaus) not only promote Greater Phoenix to travelers but also work with economic development organizations.

20 From the Top

For eeCPA founder Elizabeth Hale, engagement is the common theme to empower her teams and achieve success.

26 Healthcare

“How Healthcare Organizations Are Undermining Their Data Security Efforts” and “Cornerstone Healing Center Advancing Education in Substance Abuse Treatment”

28 Technology

“Beyond ChatGPT” and “The Rise of Banking-as-a-Service”

39 Books

New releases give fresh insights on business thinking.

40 En Negocios

Feature articles in Spanish and English on Finanzas / Finance.

44 Economy

Scott D. MacDonald discusses key steps for Arizona business owners to take if they are thinking of selling their business.

46 Legal

Attorney Heather Macre explores the big changes HIPAA is getting ready to make to patient privacy laws.

50 Nonprofit

Richard Tollefson explores the question of when to take a fundraising campaign from its silent phase to public.

51 Assets

2023 Volvo S90 Recharge

Hybrid Sedan

Plus: Music can set the tone for workplace culture.

46 Power Lunch

Savor the Mediterranean at Arboleda

53

2023 Legal Guide

A business owner’s resource to legal services

JUNE 2023

6

“Repurpose, Reuse: How Commercial Construction Can Adapt,” “1.5M SF Virgin Industrial Park Breaks Ground in West Valley,” “Empire 101 Is New Infill, Class-A Industrial Project in Peoria,” “Dynamic Commercial and Retail Destination FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA Takes Shape” and “Mixed-Use Peoria Place Starts with Industrial Park Groundbreaking”

66 Roundtable

Don Alix shares tips on balancing cognitive diversity in the workplace by tapping into the strength of not thinking alike.

On the Cover: A group of people looks onto Phoenix Convention Center’s outdoor meeting space, Canyon on Third, from a North Building patio.

Photo by Scott Francis, courtesy of Phoenix Convention Center & Venues

In Business Magazine is a collaboration of many business organizations and entities throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and Arizona. Our mission is to inform and energize business in this community by communicating content that will build business and enrich the economic picture for all of us vested in commerce.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Kristen Merrifield, CEO Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits (602) 279-2966 www.arizonanonprofits.org

Debbie Hann, Chief Operating Officer Arizona Small Business Association Central Office (602) 306-4000 www.asba.com

Steven G. Zylstra, President & CEO Arizona Technology Council One Renaissance Square (602) 343-8324 www.aztechcouncil.org

Doug Bruhnke, Founder & President Global Chamber® (480) 595-5000 www.globalchamber.org

Ania Kubicki , President NAWBO Phoenix Metro Chapter (480) 289-5768 www.nawbophx.org

Colin Diaz, President & CEO Tempe Chamber of Commerce (480) 967-7891 www.tempechamber.org

Our Partner Organizations are vested business organizations focused on building and improving business in the Valley or throughout Arizona. As Partners, each will receive three insert publications each year to showcase all that they are doing for business and businesspeople within our community. We encourage you to join these and other organizations to better your business opportunities. The members of these and other Associate Partner Organizations receive a subscription to In Business Magazine each month. For more information on becoming an Associate Partner, please contact our publisher at info@inbusinessphx.com

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS

Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce ahwatukeechamber.com

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry azchamber.com

Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce azhcc.com

The Black Chamber of Arizona phoenixblackchamber.com

Chandler Chamber of Commerce chandlerchamber.com Economic Club of Phoenix econclubphx.org

Glendale Chamber of Commerce glendaleazchamber.org

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce phoenixchamber.com

Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce gpglcc.org

Mesa Chamber of Commerce mesachamber.org

North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce northphoenixchamber.com

Peoria Chamber of Commerce peoriachamber.com

Phoenix Metro Chamber of Commerce phoenixmetrochamber.com

Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce scottsdalechamber.com

Scottsdale Coalition of Today and Tomorrow (SCOTT) scottnow.com

Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce surpriseregionalchamber.com

WESTMARC westmarc.org

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June 2023 Words

RaeAnne Marsh

Editor, In Business Magazine

RaeAnne Marsh became editorial director of Phoenix-based InMedia Company in 2010 and helped launch Valley-wide business resource In Business Magazine. Her journalism career began more than 20 years ago, when she left California and 12 years of teaching to transplant in Phoenix’s vibrant entrepreneurial environment, and includes incorporating her own business, Grammar & Glitz, Inc., through which she has taken writing and editing gigs with business and media clients nationwide. Holding the magazine to strong editorial standards, she says, “New businesses are founded, out-of-staters bring new strengths, established businesses evolve and expand — all of which contributes to the dynamic vitality that I see as the mission of In Business Magazine to be the voice of and vehicle to nurture, in each monthly edition. It is my challenge to ensure each edition is packed with relevant information on a broad spectrum of issues, aimed at a readership that runs the gamut from entrepreneurial startup to major corporation.”

Edgar R. Olivo Editor, En Negocios

As editor of the Spanish section of In Business Magazine, Edgar R. Olivo shares weekly content for Spanish-preferred small-business owners in Phoenix. As a first-generation Latinx and native-Arizonan, Olivo’s upbringing was filled with similar challenges that Latino communities in Arizona face when they engage with the economy. An entrepreneur and nonprofit executive, he is leading the charge to help strengthen a diverse, inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Arizona. His work is nationally recognized for establishing programs that help advance equitable economic recovery, and increase generational wealth for Latinx/Hispanic small business owners in Arizona.

“I believe today is a moment for leading big change. Business ownership is a critical means to build community and individual wealth. I hope my work will demonstrate to the Latino community that the entrepreneur ecosystem in Arizona has their back.”

Guest columns are feature articles presented as a special, limited series as well as regular, ongoing series in In Business Magazine.

Tyler Butler

Guest Columnist – Social Impact

A long time corporate social responsibility practitioner, Tyler Butler is known for her expertise in creating, launching and developing successful social impact programs. Her commitment to rallying people together to make a positive difference has created sustainable signature programs empowering people to give back in a myriad of ways globally. Butler operates under the ethos of “each one teach one,” and so her contributions to In Business Magazine provide her with an outlet to share the best of what companies are doing to aid humanity. Butler looks to shed light on good corporate citizens and share stories about the magic they are creating through their generous outreach efforts.

Don Henninger

Guest Columnist – Metro

As a 35-year newspaper veteran in Arizona, Don Henninger has always made journalism his passion as well as his career. Facts matter — especially in this day and age — and information is the foundation that enables citizens to be positive participants in their communities at all levels. Henninger has been fortunate to serve as a community leader and continues in that role today as director of the Scottsdale Coalition of Today & Tomorrow, which convenes leaders to work on issues in that city, and as a member of several nonprofit boards in the Valley.

Bruce Weber

Guest Columnist – Capacity

Bruce Weber sees In Business Magazine as a valuable forum for topics relevant to our business and nonprofit community. “I am deeply interested in organizational capacity and what makes organizations successful and impactful in the work they do. In my work in the community for more than 16 years, I have worked with all sizes of organizations and leaders in helping their businesses grow and expand their impact. My previous careers with Microsoft and Hewlett Packard involved working with business integration partners to design strategies to engage new markets. In today’s complex world, I enjoy exploring the possibilities and opportunities that change can bring.”

Publisher Rick McCartney

Editor RaeAnne Marsh

En Negocios

Editor Edgar Rafael Olivo

Web Editor Jake Kless

Graphic Design Benjamin Little

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Don Alix

Brian Anders

Tyler Butler

Tim Gallen

Ross Honey

Mike Hunter

Amri B. Johnson

Adrian Keller

Sara Kerwin

Scott D. MacDonald

Heather Macre

Bob Moore

Martijn Pierik

Stephanie Quinn

Anu Shukla

Beth Scarano

Yolanda Slan

Jay Thorne

Dmitry Tokar

Richard Tollefson

Sarah M. Worthy

ADVERTISING

Operations Louise Ferrari

Business Development Louise Ferrari

Cami Shore

Events Amy Corben

More: Visit your one-stop resource for everything business at inbusinessphx.com. For a full monthly calendar of business-related events, please visit our website.

Inform Us: Send press releases and your editorial ideas to editor@inbusinessphx.com

President & CEO Rick McCartney

Editorial Director RaeAnne Marsh

Financial Manager Tom Beyer

Office Manager Allie Jones

Accounting Manager Todd Hagen

Corporate Office InMedia Company 45 W. Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003

T: (480) 588-9505 info@inmediacompany.com www.inmediacompany.com

Vol. 14, No. 6 In Business Magazine is published 12 times per year by InMedia Company. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to InMedia Company, 45 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. To subscribe to In Business Magazine, please send check or money order for one-year subscription of $24.95 to InMedia Company, 45 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 or visit inbusinessphx.com. We appreciate your editorial submissions, news and photos for review by our editorial staff. You may send to editor@inbusinessmag.com or mail to the address above. All letters sent to In Business Magazine will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication, copyright purposes and use in any publication, website or brochure. InMedia accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. InMedia Company, LLC reserves the right to refuse certain advertising and is not liable for advertisers’ claims and/or errors. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of InMedia. InMedia Company considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data as possible, although reporting inaccuracies can occur; consequently, readers using this information do so at their own risk. Each business opportunity and/ or investment inherently contains certain risks, and it is suggested that the prospective investors consult their attorney and/or financial professional. ©2022 InMedia Company, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission by any means without written permission by the publisher.

As a proud fourth-generation Arizonan, Lisa Urias has built her career on crafting and promoting the multifaceted brand of Arizona through several companies, organizations and roles. Urias’ family has a long history of service to Arizona — a value she holds dear. Her more than 35 years as a marketing and PR professional has taught her that a strong organizational culture, a responsive strategic plan, diverse perspectives and dedication to innovative ideas lead to sustained success. tourism.az.gov

Tourism: A Critical Economic Driver

Arizona is seeing a population surge as people continue to choose our state as their home. But our popularity as a visitor destination is equally robust, with Maricopa County offering one of the strongest pipelines of new hotels and resorts in the country.

The Arizona Office of Tourism and other Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) such as Visit Phoenix, Experience Scottsdale, Tempe Tourism Office and Visit Mesa work year-round to attract visitors to Arizona from across the country and around the world. Arizona welcomed more than 40 million overnight visitors statewide in 2022, whose spending is critical to supporting industry jobs and local businesses and driving the economy overall.

Whether they’re here for a child’s soccer tournament, Cactus League Spring Training or even the occasional Super Bowl or NCAA Final Four, travelers want to make the most of their time in the Grand Canyon State. AOT and our DMO/CVB partners shine in filling itineraries with a wide variety of authentic Arizona experiences that our visitors seek. The more we can engage our visitors, the longer they’ll stay with us and, ultimately, the more our economy benefits.

Promoting their destinations to travelers is the primary focus of our local DMO/CVBs — and they also work with economic development organizations, as the revenue generated supports vital community services. These are among the tourism and tax benefits the cover story this month explores.

The feature story this month looks at another side of the issue explored in last month’s cover story, which took a dive into diversity, equity and inclusion programs and their powerful impacts at many of our major employers. Pushback comes almost inevitably with any change, and in “Dealing with DEI Pushback,” Amri B. Johnson offers insightful strategies to help businesses navigate through these challenges if they surface among their workforces.

Some businesses will face impacts from an imminent change on another front. Attorney Heather Macre discusses “Big Changes Are Coming to HIPAA Laws Heading into Summer” in this month’s Legal feature. And these changes include significant penalties for infractions.

Diversity is under the microscope again in this month’s Roundtable — an underrecognized aspect known as cognitive diversity — as Don Alix suggests businesses tap into the strength of diverse thinking in “Balancing Cognitive Diversity in the Workplace.”

From the By the Numbers article on the growing use of generative AI in marketing to the Economy feature on key steps to help Arizona business owners who are considering selling their business, this June edition of In Business Magazine is packed with varied and relevant content to help strengthen and grow our business community.

In Business Magazine also presents its annually updated, comprehensive Business Owners’ Legal Services Guide, compiled to help business owners find the best legal expertise for specific needs.

I’m pleased to work with In Business Magazine to help bring you this June edition, and I hope you enjoy the read.

Sincerely,

Destination Business

Lisa Urias Director • Arizona Office of Tourism

Not only do people want to live here, but they also want to visit. So, tourism has long been a strong business sector for us in Arizona and particularly in the Valley. Phrases like “Valley of the Sun” are created to tout all that is great about where we live. It is big business, and, in this issue, we look at how we make money from the great number of visitors who join us here each year.

I am more than grateful to have Lis Urias lead this issue. Her love of Arizona and our enriched life here makes her the perfect person

to head this tourism issue — not to mention the perfect person to lead our Arizona Office of Tourism. Thank you, Lisa, for all that you have done and are just now starting to do for Arizona in your new role.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as tourists seem to love our great State. —Rick

McCartney, Publisher

EN NEGOCIOS

Manténgase informado sobre temas empresariales en español a través de En Negocios, artículos para los lectores de habla hispana en el área metropolitana de Phoenix. Visite inbusinessphx.com/ ennegocios para más información.

Stay informed on business topics in Spanish through En Negocios, articles for Spanish-speaking readers in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Visit inbusinessphx.com/ ennegocios for more information.

LISA URIAS, ARIZONA OFFICE OF TOURISM

FEEDBACK

QUESTION:

Let us know what you want to know from the Valley’s top business leaders.

editor@inbusinessphx.com

Your attraction is beloved by Arizonans and tourists alike. How are you reaching those different markets?

CRAIG CULY

Acting Director

Musical Instrument Museum

Sector: Arts & Culture

MIM’s unique connection to Arizona emanates outward and helps it attract visitors from near and far. MIM consists of a museum displaying more than 4,200 instruments from around the world and the world-class MIM Music Theater. We invite Arizonans to engage with the museum and theater through a regional advertising strategy that includes outdoor, digital, broadcast and print — as well as through our collateral and social media platforms. Our team has also built relationships in the music and arts community to involve local artists in our programming, such as I Am AZ Music® concerts and Signature Events. Special exhibitions help draw tourists to the museum. These audiences are also interested in our collection, specifically the Geographic Galleries. Our long-time relationships with tourism outlets like Visit Phoenix and concierge services at hotels and convention centers help us connect with these audiences, even before they visit Arizona.

We are delighted to consistently receive positive feedback from guests. These reviews positively impact our growth and help us reach audiences through word of mouth or through reviews on sites like Tripadvisor.

Musical Instrument Museum MIM.org

For all past Feedbacks go online to inbusinessphx.com

and see what Valley executives think on various business topics.

JUNE 2023

JENNIFER McCABE

Director and Chief Curator

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Sector: Arts & Culture

As a contemporary art space, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) strives to be forwardthinking and relevant to our audiences, so keeping in touch with diverse markets is essential. In more traditional ways, we focus on regular paid advertising in digital, broadcast and print formats, including local, national and international publications. For more flexible and organic promotion efforts, we use weekly email marketing, social media, news releases and direct-mail brochures. As tourists comprise an important audience, SMoCA also works with local hotel partners to provide printed material to their guests. Additionally, SMoCA has a number of strategic partnerships to help us reach new audiences. These include the City of Scottsdale, with which we are collaborating on an upcoming Juneteenth event; Experience Scottsdale, which promotes various art-focused months during the year and sends travel writers from around the world to the museum; our SMoCA Advisory Council members, who help promote and advocate within the local arts community; and publications like Southwest Contemporary, a regional arts publication that regularly features SMoCA through exhibition reviews.

KENNETH J. SCHUTZ

The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director

Desert Botanical Garden

Sector: Arts & Culture

We have very strong attendance from both local residents and tourists, but our strategies for each market are very different. Locally, we try to reach everyone directly through social media, with supplementary TV and print. For tourists, we hope they will find Phoenix and Arizona on social media or in print media, and book a trip here. Then, when they know they are coming, we hope they dig deeper and find out about us as a “must see” attraction.

We also collaborate with key tourist properties for an in-room presence, and count on concierges and other local word-of-mouth sources to drive tourists to the Garden.

Desert Botanical Garden dbg.org

Ken Schutz has held executive leadership positions at cultural institutions for more than 40 years and has been at the helm of the Desert Botanical Garden since 2001. Previously, Schutz served on the Institute for Museum and Library Services Board by appointment of President Obama, as an accreditation commissioner for the American Alliance of Museums, and as president of the American Public Gardens Association.

Craig Culy joined MIM in December 2009. His role has evolved over the years, expanding and adding new responsibilities as the museum advances; he was previously chief financial officer and chief operating officer at MIM. Currently, as the acting director, Culy is responsible for overseeing all facets of the operations of a multimillion-dollar organization. He is also MIM’s board treasurer.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art SMoCA.org

Since 2018, Jennifer McCabe, Ph.D., has been the director and chief curator of Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, named Best Museum by the Phoenix New Times in 2022.

Sign up for the monthly In Business Magazine eNewsletter at www.inbusinessphx.com. Look for survey questions and other research on our business community.

Joining Forces to Combat Local Auto/Diesel Technician Shortage

Automotive shops and dealerships across the country have been hit hard by the technician shortage — and Phoenix is no exception.

Several area shops, dealerships and schools are joining forces on WrenchWay, an online community for automotive and diesel professionals, to combat the local technician shortage by promoting and improving technician careers in the region.

“It’s become obvious that the technician shortage is having a huge impact on shops in the Phoenix area,” explains Jay Goninen, cofounder and president of WrenchWay. “We need to drive proactive communication across our industry in order to build a better foundation, and the Phoenix chapter is doing just that.”

The WrenchWay Phoenix Chapter launched in early April and has already had 10 shops and 14 schools join.

“These early adopting shops and schools understand the dire situation we’re in as an industry, and know we need to work together if we want to make any progress,” Goninen explains. “WrenchWay is just trying to give

them a way to make it easier to communicate and collaborate.”

The WrenchWay online community works like a marketplace where schools list requests for classroom resources they need, and shops can message the schools directly through the platform if they can help. Additionally, shops can list resources they have available for donation.

Currently, there are 15 open requests from schools in the Phoenix area on WrenchWay for things like EV repair and maintenance demos, career fair participants, shop tours, guest speakers for classes, internships and more.

“We encouraged our Phoenix schools to get their requests out there for next semester before summer break. So, even with things slowing down on the school side for a few months, it’s still a great time to get involved in the chapter,” Goninen says.

Shops and schools interested in joining can visit the WrenchWay Phoenix Chapter page to learn more. —Sara Kerwin, director of marketing at WrenchWay (wrenchway.com/ chapters/phoenix-az)

DAILIES TOP STORIES

‘In Business Dailies’ Most Views Last 30 Days

Here are the stories with the most views over the past 30 days (prior to press time) that were features in our In Business Dailies. The In Business Dailies hit email inboxes twice each weekday — at 9:30 a.m. and updated at 4:30 p.m. Sign up today at www.inbusinessphx.com/dailies-signup.

HR & Management | Cover Story | May 2023

Beyond Just Talk: How an Emphasis on People and Culture Is Building Business

by RaeAnne Marsh

DEI as a concept is about celebrating and respecting individuals’ differences. Naturally congruent with that effort are differences in the way individual enterprises put that into play with their unique business function and workforce. As the experience of these successful businesses in varied sectors of our community shows, there are many ways to make a difference.

HR & Management | Guest Editor | May 2023

May 2023 Guest Editor Essen Otu, Salt River Project

Opportunities of Inclusion

from Essen Otu

We are living in an exciting time in history, both in Arizona and around the world, as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are being recognized as critical in the business world. DEI as a concept is about celebrating, harnessing and respecting individual differences and creating environments that maximize human potential in everyone.

Government & Compliance | inbusinessphx.com | May 17 2023

Voters Decline to Move Tempe Entertainment District Forward

inbusinessPHX.com

An Arizona Coyotes hockey arena, hotels, apartments, restaurants and retail will not move forward at Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway now that residents have voted to decline the Tempe Entertainment District.

Growth & Enterprise | inbusinessphx.com | May 9 2023

Sam Fox Reveals Full Culinary Lineup at Debut Luxury Hotel, Opening in Mid-November

inbusinessPHX.com

Much anticipation has surrounded details of the culinary offerings at acclaimed restaurateur and hospitality innovator Sam Fox’s soon-to-open luxury hotel, The Global Ambassador, and today new details are being revealed about all five original restaurants that will open within the hotel in mid-November.

Passport Photo Online recently conducted a survey-based study about the “Work from Hotel” trend. Nearly 98% of the more than 700 working professionals surveyed plan or consider using hotels for work in 2023 and beyond. passport-photo.online/blog/work-from-hotel

Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy

ACHIEVEMENTS

Trevor Wilde Named an AZ Top Wealth Advisor

Picking up two more awards this year, Trevor Wilde, MBA, AIF® — CEO of award-winning Wilde Wealth Management Group — was named by Barron’s to its annual list of top 1,200 advisors nationwide and No. 1 overall in Arizona and by Forbes to its 2023 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list. Only 150 advisors from across Arizona were named to Forbes’ prestigious list, with Wilde being named the No. 2 overall advisor statewide. wildewealth.com

Adler PR CEO Wins Prestigious National Award

Jennifer Adler, founder and CEO of Adler Public Relations, was recently honored in the prestigious national PR News’ Top Women Awards for 2023 in the “Business Entrepreneurs” category. Adler was recognized for her ambition and ingenuity in starting her Scottsdale-based, boutique lifestyle and luxury Adler Public Relations in 2019, along with her resilience for weathering the challenges presented by the pandemic which she faced only one year into running the business. adlerpublicrelations.com

The Sicilian Butcher Honored by Nation’s Restaurant News

The Sicilian Butcher, an innovative Sicilian and Italian fastcasual restaurant concept created by The Maggiore Group, earned the prestigious “Breakout Brand” title and is the only Arizona-based and Italian restaurant concept to be a part of this esteemed list as selected by Nation’s Restaurant News, which serves the entire foodservice industry.

The Sicilian Butcher and its next-door bakery and cannoli bar concept The Sicilian Baker have three locations in the Phoenix area and are poised for nationwide growth. thesicilianbutcher.com

PHILANTHROPY

Sundt’s Annual Golf Tournament Raises $140,000 for ALS Research

Sundt Construction recently hosted the 19th Annual Mike Gaines Golf Tournament, which raised a recordbreaking total of $140,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fifty-five companies showed representation through participation and sponsorship, including Sundt Construction’s employee-owners.

Mike Gaines, a senior project manager and valued employee-owner with Sundt, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in January 2000 and lost his life to the disease at age 49. Gaines wanted to raise money for ALS research so no one else would have to suffer. In his honor, Sundt continues to raise money for ALS research through sporting events across the western U.S. sundt.com

JUNE

Nonprofit Solar Co-Op Helps Small Businesses Go Solar

An effort is underway to help small businesses and households in the Phoenix area go solar together.

The recently launched Phoenix Metro Solar Co-op uses group purchasing power to offer solar to co-op members at competitive rates. The coop uses a local solar provider selected by group members in an open bidding process. By joining, small businesses receive guidance from SUN, the independent nonprofit that runs the program.

We’re excited to help local businesses that want to realize the benefits of going solar through the co-op. Going solar can be a major investment that takes careful consideration. We hope that by joining the co-op, we can help make the process easier and less burdensome.

Recently, more and more companies have turned to solar energy to power their businesses. Energy savings from solar can reduce overhead, and sustainability commitments can influence where customers take their business.

However, some businesses may find the process daunting. Uncertainties over whether

a building is right for solar, how to find a contractor, and assessing the qualities of a bid can lead to indecision. SUN’s co-op model seeks to improve the process.

By joining the group, small businesses could save money on the cost of a solar installation. And, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, businesses may be able to take the business investment tax credit, which cuts system costs by 30%.

SUN’s co-ops also help grow the solar industry in Arizona. To handle the influx of customers, co-op installers often hire additional staff to create proposals and complete installations for the group. In turn, co-op members often refer their installer to friends and neighbors, generating even more business.

The solar co-op offers an annual opportunity to businesses and individuals to join, but the timing varies from year to year. This year’s deadline is July 7. —Adrian Keller, Arizona program director with Solar United Neighbors (solarunitedneighbors.org/phoenixmetro)

Extreme Weather Patterns Draw Development Interest

At United Water Restoration Group, the 86-territory franchise brand that provides premier restoration and reconstruction services, we have remained a dominant force in the industry for nearly 15 years, while also delivering a best-in-class customer experience around the United States. Now, we have identified our next area for development: Phoenix.

As extreme weather patterns increase, Phoenix is experiencing more wildfires, dust storms and flooding. In fact, there are more than 13,000 properties in Phoenix, representing 10% of all properties in the area, that have greater than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. Additionally, during an average year, generally one to three dust storms will move into the Phoenix area, while 2,520 wildfires burned in 2020 alone.

In addition to water damage mitigation, UWRG is a 24/7, full-service restoration company that specializes in mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, reconstruction, sewage, flood and disaster

response. And with help available 24/7, 365 days a year, a customer-first mentality is what continues to set our business apart.

With Phoenix being a completely open territory at UWRG, there’s plenty of opportunity for the right franchise owners. The Greater Phoenix area has a population of about 4.95 million, which leaves room for around 20 territories that can comfortably support five to nine franchise owners and up to 200 employees in total.

We’re greatly looking forward to expanding in Phoenix and are excited to partner with new franchise owners. It is not necessary for those interested to have experience in restoration or to have a home-services background, but they should ideally have experience in sales, management, business development or leadership. The most important characteristics are a motivation for hard work and an interest in helping and serving others. —Bob Moore, vice president of Development & Operations at United Water Restoration Group (uwrgfranchise.com)

There are 13,427 properties in Phoenix that have greater than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years, according to the First Street Foundation. This represents 10% of all properties in Phoenix. riskfactor.com/city/phoenix-az/455000_fsid/flood

The State of GenAI Chatbots in Marketing

GenAI chatbots help businesses achieve positive results (in most cases)

by Anu Shukla

A whopping 73% of marketers are now using Generative AI (GenAI) tools for content creation, setting the stage for artificial intelligence to upend decades of convention. However, this rapid adoption of GenAI tools begs the question of how marketers are using them, and whether they’re being used to full effect.

We at Botco.ai surveyed 1,000 marketing professionals to understand the role of GenAI tools in marketing agencies today and to analyze potential applications of AI tools in the future. We found that the rapid adoption of GenAI is fueling stronger business outcomes, and there’s still untapped potential for businesses to pursue.

BARRIERS TO ADOPTION

While GenAI has proven to be a powerful marketing tool, there are a few consistent concerns that have prevented nonadopters from implementing the tools into their workflows. One of the primary challenges cited by these individuals was team training, as 50% of the respondents expressed concern about the difficulty and time needed to adequately prepare their workforce to utilize AI efficiently.

Privacy and security concerns were also a major hurdle for GenAI adoption, with 45% of respondents highlighting their worries about data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Other significant concerns were content quality and the potential for unethical biases in AI systems, which can lead to unfair treatment of certain demographics or exacerbate existing societal inequalities.

Despite these issues, non-adopters still plan to adopt GenAI, with 31% expecting to implement it within 12 months, and 46% within two years.

BENEFITS OF GENERATIVE AI

The use of GenAI in marketing has been nothing short of transformative. More than half of businesses using GenAI reported an increase in marketing performance.

The integration of GenAI in marketing strategies has also proven to be highly cost-effective, with 66% of companies

Reaping Rewards through GenAI Chatbots

reporting a positive ROI. Among these, 43% have experienced a 2x ROI, and 22% have seen a staggering 3x ROI. These impressive returns can be attributed to the AI’s ability to optimize campaigns in real-time, identify high-performing strategies and generate innovative creative ideas.

As these AI-powered systems continue to learn and evolve, they become even more efficient, providing further cost savings for businesses. And the results of our survey indicate that the longer a company uses GenAI, the more value it can extract from its investment, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success.

THE POWER OF CHATBOTS

While the applications and advantages of GenAI are clear, one element seems to be under-used: chatbots. In an age of information overload, personalization is crucial to capturing and retaining customer attention. Chatbots, powered by generative AI, have the capacity to analyze vast amounts of customer data, such as preferences, purchase history and browsing behavior. This information can be used to tailor marketing messages and create highly personalized interactions, resulting in a deeper connection with the customer and increased brand loyalty.

One of the most significant benefits of integrating chatbots into marketing strategies is the ability to provide instant customer support. By being available 24/7 to address customer inquiries and resolve issues, chatbots can improve overall customer satisfaction and enhance brand perception. This level of customer support can give businesses a competitive advantage by building trust and fostering longterm relationships with their customers.

By leveraging the power of chatbots and other generative AI applications, organizations can create more effective marketing campaigns, drive growth and foster strong relationships with their customers. The integration of these technologies represents a significant step toward the future of marketing.

[Editor’s note: Visit this article online for more detailed descriptions and analyses.]

Generally, businesses using generative AI chatbots are reaping rewards. As we found in a previous survey of 1,000 contact center professionals, respondents report: Chatbots reduce customer call time

GenAI Tools by Popularity

About three-quarters of respondents say their generative AI tools are trained on their proprietary content.

ChapGPT 55% Copy.ai 42% Jasper.ai 36% Peppertype.ai 29%

WHO IS USING GenAI?

GenAI is being used across organizational sizes and industries, from telecommunications to construction. Adoption is skewed toward B2B companies, with 78% using GenAI compared to 65% of B2C companies. Given that AI tools are predominantly used to generate copy, the slant toward B2B businesses is unsurprising. While GenAI tools have advanced significantly in recent months, they still aren’t quite able to capture the human touch. However, they are capable of generating the kind professional language and tone that resonates with B2B audiences.

Lensa 28%

DALL-E 25%

MidJourney 24%

Source: botco.ai

Anu Shukla is co-founder and executive chair of Botco.ai, the GenAI Chat Cloud company. Today, the company offers industry-leading authoring, webchat and AI machine-learning capabilities to quickly and effectively convert more customers in healthcare, wellness, addiction, behavioral health, physical therapy and senior living centers. Botco.ai is the recipient of the Arizona Innovation Challenge “Most Outstanding Startup” award and a graduate of Alchemist Accelerator Class XXV, the No. 1 accelerator for enterprise startups. botco.ai

More than 50% of marketers are using AI to create text, video and audio. Fifty-eight percent of marketers using GenAI tools report increased performance, while 66% report a positive ROI.

In Revenue Capital’s New Strategy in Sourcing Revenue

“The Venture world needs to change. They must embrace a true value-add mentality rather than treating founders and their companies like commodities,” says Justin Gray. This is the mission Gray sees for In Revenue Capital, to which he brought extensive experience in helping launch it this year as its cofounder and managing partner.

“I’m an operator to the core,” Gray says. “I love everything that is early-stage startups. I also love the variance and excitement that comes with venture investing. So, armed with perspectives that spanned both worlds, I wanted to create something that would solve for the acute pains of startup founders and their teams — and would also allow me to live in both the worlds I loved. Hence, In Revenue’s operatorimmersive model was born, where we provide both venture capital and operator expertise.”

TRENDS IN VENTURE CAPITAL

Active for the past five years in startup investing, Gray has been both an angel investor and a limited partner in three venture capital firms. “My own evolution as an investor coincided with the rise of the ‘operator capital’ movement where firms like GTM Fund and Stage 2 Capital are bringing a lot of attention to that model,” Gray says, explaining that the operator capital trend recognizes that founders and their startups need more than capital alone to succeed in today’s unstable and rapidly changing environments.

Gray believes there’s tremendous power in creating large networks of limited partners that not only invest but are available to function as advisors to portfolio companies to guide their growth. In practice however, “as the number of limited partners in a firm grows and its fund sizes grow to dozens and even hundreds of investments, the act of connecting the right limited partners and the right portfolio companies at the right time becomes a very difficult alchemy,” he says.

Gray also had experience with high-growth organizations that had definitively graduated from startup territory and were scaling into 8-, 10- or even 11-figure businesses. These companies, which had seemingly hit their stride, were struggling the same way that startups struggle as “once-in-a-generation events like COVID, virtual workforce transformation, and now economic recession were resetting the board on a what seemed like daily cadence,” Gray notes.

“So, because of these different but complementary perspectives, a key learning for me emerged — and that was the fact that the typical outlets and resources by which you would expect founders and leaders to turn to for advice in navigating these high challenging situations, were failing them,” Gray shares.

IN REVENUE TAKES A DIFFERENT APPROACH

“Our diligence process has to not only evaluate the viability of the investment but also the risk as well as the fit for us to

literally stepping into the business as an operator,” says Gray. This goes far beyond product market fit and business model evaluation. “Our rabbit hole goes deep into culture, ideal customer makeup and, at the most fundamental, we consider, ‘Can we use our specific skillset to amplify the organization so that one plus one ultimately equals ten?’” If all the answers come back positive, the hard work would then begin.

“At the end of the day, we only know how to do the hard stuff,” says Gray. Noting that all the partners within In Revenue are self-made successes, having built their companies from nothing and taking them to a place where they were truly best-in-class, he says, “The experience derived from that work is exactly what today’s startups are clamoring for.”

A NEW LANDSCAPE

“When we first brough In Revenue to bear, we squarely thought we were taking on the VC establishment,” Gray relates. He and his partners were surprised, then, to find many partners at traditional venture firms actually did have an appetite for improvement. “They wanted to bring more value,” he says, “but, for the average VC firm, that means bringing in outside talent — and that’s expensive.”

So, In Revenue has created its own niche in the venture world. “Rather than battling over term sheets, we’ve instead found ourselves partnering with much larger, more wellestablished firms to bring our value-add offering alongside their larger coffers,” Gray says. “It’s truly become a win-win, as we can participate in larger rounds that previously would have been out of our altitude and have the opportunity to add our GTM and operator expertise into companies that would have otherwise been out of reach. Inversely, seed-stage founders and their teams can secure the capital they need along with the expertise and tactical help to truly thrive.”

In Revenue Capital inrevenue.capital

The operator capital trend recognizes that founders and their startups need more than capital alone to succeed in today’s unstable and rapidly changing environments.

—RaeAnne Marsh

Repurpose, Reuse: How Commercial Construction Can Adapt

The commercial construction industry in Arizona is projected to hit approximately $6 billion in 2023, according to IBISWorld research. It is no surprise to learn that the construction industry is booming throughout the state, and more specifically in Maricopa County; it is tough to drive anywhere in the state without seeing a construction project. Repurposing an existing space is not a new concept, but it is a growing one for multiple reasons.

BENEFITS OF REUSE

While Arizona still has available land for development, growth during the past 20 years leaves limited options in more populated urban areas. A lack of land availability in Greater Phoenix is a good reason to consider an existing space for adaptation and reuse. Building a business operation in an existing retail space gives the business immediate access to customers and employees nearby. One of the biggest advantages for repurposing an existing building is the speed to market and potential savings on construction costs. A ground-up build is almost always more expensive, and it takes anywhere from 18 months to multiple years to design, plan, secure approvals and complete construction. A redesign and construction can take as little as eight to 10 months.

ADAPTATION CHALLENGES

Transforming an empty big-box store, abandoned warehouse or office building comes with its own set of challenges. The space will need retrofitting to accommodate the functionality and operations of the new tenant. Another factor that must be considered is if there’s a need for rezoning. For example, an industrial space that will be used as a medical

facility could require rezoning. There is also an application cost for submitting a rezoning request, and it can take months to get through this process.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

We are seeing brick-and-mortar stores closing across the Valley, along with entire shopping centers. Most recently, two national retailers, Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby, announced bankruptcy filings, which means a shutdown of stores is soon to follow. Sad news for these companies and their employees, but store closures also present an opportunity for businesses needing space in an established retail center. We are also seeing dilapidated buildings and open warehouse space in downtown areas being reimagined and transformed into vital entertainment venues. As spaces are repurposed, it brings new life to the commercial sector and residential interest is close behind.

DUE DILIGENCE

When considering repurposing a vacant building, conducting due diligence is critical. A thorough inspection of the space will uncover the status of the building’s electrical system and help determine if the existing wiring and panel is usable. It is also important to check the building’s foundational slab for any water or structural issues. With a clear understanding of any structural challenges, it is then possible to know the impact on the construction plan and costs. —Beth Scarano, principal and CEO of Launch PM (launch-pm.com), which specializes in commercial construction project management

GET REAL

1.5M SF Virgin Industrial Park Breaks Ground in West Valley

Virgin Industrial Park, a five-building, 1.5 million-squarefoot Class A industrial project, has broken ground in the booming Loop 303 Corridor, on the northwest corner of Olive and Reems roads in metro Phoenix’s West Valley. The project is being developed by IndiCap, a boutique commercial real estate company specializing in industrial investment and development in the Southwest, and Invesco, a global leader in the real estate investment management business.

JLL Executive Managing Directors Marc Hertzberg, Managing Director Riley Gilbert and associate Kelly Royle are the project’s exclusive leasing brokers. The general contractor is Graycor Construction and the project architect is Deutsch Architecture Group.

Phase I, which includes three Class A industrial buildings totalling 566,121 square feet, 244,958 square feet and 213,765 square feet, is scheduled for completion during the first quarter of 2024.

Phase II, which will add an additional two Class A industrial buildings totalling 297,439 square feet and 235,040 square feet, is projected to break ground during the third quarter of 2023. The site is fully improved and so is also available for immediate built-to-suit opportunities. —Mike Hunter indicapinc.com • invesco.com • jll.com

Empire 101 Is New Infill, Class-A Industrial Project in Peoria

On behalf of KBC Advisors Arizona, Phoenix-based StevensLeinweber Construction has started construction on Empire 101, a 152,134-square-foot Class A industrial project fronting the Loop 101 freeway, at 89th Avenue and Sweetwater Road in Peoria, Arizona. Completion is expected in January 2024. Located just 12 minutes from the new TSMC semiconductor Fab plant and with access to almost 2.5 million residents within a 30-minute drive, Empire 101 represents a significant infill site selection opportunity for industrial tenants seeking strategic space in the metro Phoenix market. The site can park 144 automobiles, expandable to more than 200 total spaces.

Stevens-Leinweber Construction serves as Empire 101’s general contractor. Deutsch Architecture is the architect. Mike Ciosek and Eric Bell of Kidder Mathews are the building’s exclusive leasing brokers. —Mike Hunter kbcadvisors.com • stevensleinweber.com

LaunchPM recently completed a medical facility and clinic for Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) in South Scottsdale in a space that was previously home to a large car dealership, adapting and reusing the 30,000-square-foot building that sat empty for a few years. The space now houses a fully operating medical clinic.

Mixed-Use Peoria Place Starts with Industrial Park Groundbreaking

Greystar Real Estate Partners recently broke ground on Caliber by Greystar. The three-building, Class A industrial park is the first element to break ground at Greystar’s Peoria Place, a $500-million mixed-use master plan designed to revitalize a central historic downtown infill land site in Peoria, Arizona.

Caliber is located along the US 60, at the southwest corner of 79th and Grand avenues. It is part of the 88-acre Peoria Place, which is slated to include luxury apartments, build-to-rent single family homes, residential over retail, 20 acres of open space and the Caliber light industrial park.

“Peoria Place is a unique opportunity to activate Peoria’s downtown with high-quality residential and employment options,” says Greystar Managing Director Billy Cundiff, who sees businesses benefitting from the area’s educated workforce and high population growth.

At build-out, Caliber will total 411,918 square feet of Class A product broken down as a 114,446-square-foot Building A, 122,863-square-foot Building B and 174,609-square-foot Building C, with Buildings A and B offering divisibility to serve a diversity of uses and tenant sizes. Each building is also being built with a move-in-ready office build-out of up to 2,000 square feet.

JLL Executive Managing Director Tony Lydon, Managing Director John Lydon, Vice President Hagen Hyatt and Associate Kelly Royle are the project’s exclusive leasing brokers. The general contractor is Layton Construction. The project architect is Deutsch Architecture Group.

“Caliber is an exciting start to Greystar’s vision for Peoria Place, creating close-to-home employment opportunities and offering valuable advantages for logistics users such as direct access to U.S. 60, a community of nearby warehouse and logistics companies, and move-in-ready office buildouts,” said Lydon.

Completion of Caliber is slated for Q2 2024. Greystar’s first residential projects at Peoria Place are expected to break ground this summer, with additional development to follow. —Mike

Hunter

Greystar greystar.com

JLL jll.com

Dynamic Commercial and Retail Destination

FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA Takes Shape

The Vistancia master-planned community’s 320-acre commercial and retail destination FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA is taking shape as the first hot spot in the far North Peoria/West Valley area.

Envisioned as the energetic heartbeat and high-quality lifestyle hub of the award-winning Vistancia community, FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA’s plan includes a mix of unique, eclectic and creatively infused experiences to eat, work, live and connect. The name FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA was chosen to reflect its position as the fifth lifestyle community within Vistancia and its strategic vision to be a dynamic and vibrant destination that offers a walkable and open connection to cool experiences, including “best in class” and “first to market” lifestyle and living options in North Peoria.

Construction of the initial phases is anticipated to begin in early 2024. The initial phases are planned to include a main street restaurant/retail corridor, hospitality, office, healthcare, education, an employment core and an additional 1,500 luxury mid- to high-density residential units that will reflect the same high-quality and desert-inspired design elements recognized in Vistancia. In addition, an extension of Vistancia’s signature Discovery Trail is planned, offering a linear park connection through the entire property.

The final lifestyle community in Vistancia’s 7,100-acre master-planned community, which opened in 2004, FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA is located at Loop 303/Bob Stump Memorial Parkway at Lone Mountain Parkway. The site is approximately 10 minutes from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in North Phoenix.

The area is prime for workforce development, with 462,500 workers within a 30-minute drive time, according to the City of Peoria Economic Development’s office. Peoria has received significant interest in employment opportunities in FIVE NORTH at VISTANCIA’s commercial core and the region is expected to experience major employment growth within five to ten years.

California-based IHP Capital Partners and Minneapolis-based Värde Partners own Vistancia in a joint venture. —Mike Hunter

Five North at Vistancia visitfivenorth.com

IHP Capital Partners IHPInc.com

Värde Partners varde.com

The West Valley is home to 1.7 million residents, and in the last 10–12 years its buying power, education levels, workforce availability and jobs have continued to increase, according to WESTMARC (the Western Maricopa Coalition).

Photos courtesy of JLL (top); Nelsen Partners (bottom)

Traditional real estate investment approaches are being challenged. Investors need a fresh perspective and a focus on flexible, sustainable, technology-driven assets to build resilience and shape the future of real estate.

We partner with investors to help them reposition, diversify and repurpose their assets and portfolios to enhance performance and drive returns.

Let’s shape the future of real estate.

Is it time for a new perspective?

© 2022 Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc. All rights reserved.

AT A GLANCE

Company: eeCPA

President: Elizabeth Hale, CPA

Headquarters: Scottsdale

Employees: 16

Who They Are: Founded in 2004, eeCPA is a tax, accounting and business consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs and high-net-worth investors achieve transformational growth. From fully managing back offices to devising creative tax strategies, eeCPA serves as an extension of clients’ teams. Experts are known for demystifying complex financial challenges, guiding business transitions and identifying opportunities for expansion.

From Doer to Mentor: Elizabeth Hale’s Path to Empowering Teams and Achieving Success

Engagement is the common theme for eeCPA founder

by Tim Gallen

Like many entrepreneurs, Elizabeth Hale is a doer.

“I have a passion for solving problems and I’m good at explaining things,” says Hale, CEO and founder of Scottsdalebased accounting and consulting firm eeCPA. “I feel a huge sense of responsibility and commitment to my clients, and I want to do everything I can to take care of things for them.”

And like the entrepreneur she is, Hale has been doing for much of her life — whether launching her first venture selling greeting cards door to door at just eight years old or hustling at her dad’s restaurant in high school.

“I worked my butt off doing everything from mopping the floors to bartending to accounting,” she says. “I grew used to that freedom of doing the work the way I wanted it done.”

Ever since, Hale has relished that flexibility in how to do business that’s at the core of entrepreneurialism.

That experience informed how she built her career, running various businesses such as a pest control firm and a wholesale distribution center, to launching eeCPA in 2004.

“I much prefer having the freedom and creativity to take care of clients and employees the way I want and not have someone to squash it or have to go through layers of corporate red tape,” she says.

IMPEDIMENT TO BUSINESS GROWTH

With eeCPA, Hale has spent the past 19 years helping entrepreneurs and unconventional businesses achieve their goals. When she started the business, she approached it the same way she had her previous ventures: directly engaging with the work and doing things herself.

“It took me a while to recognize that approach was a huge impediment to business growth,” she says. “I was fully engaged with my clients and the work. But I needed to be better engaged with my employees.”

After dedicating several years to her business, Hale became set in her “doer” mentality and approach. While she recognizes that she could have done better in training her employees, she admits that she grew frustrated when their results did not meet her high standards.

Hale’s realization that she needed to make changes in her approach came after reading some unfavorable reviews on Glassdoor, an anonymous company review platform.

Although some of the comments were harsh and unfair, she was shocked and deeply affected by them. This served as a turning point for her, and she realized that seeking assistance was necessary to improve the situation.

That assistance came in the form of a recommendation from a client that Hale explore Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the global support network that helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals.

EO provided Hale a place she could be vulnerable about her struggles, seek out counsel from like-minded entrepreneurs who faced similar challenges and explore how she could make things better for herself and her employees.

“My EO group was truly life-changing,” she says. “They showed me that I wasn’t alone and helped me begin to improve my leadership and delegation skills.”

FROM DOER TO MENTOR

With the lessons, resources and tools gained from EO, Hale began implementing changes in her business to support and engage with her team the same way she had been engaging with her clients for so many years.

“Little by little, I made changes, intentionally focusing on mentorship and empowering my team,” she says.

Last year was a testament to Hale’s growth and focus on leadership. In 2022, the company grew top-line revenue by 47% from 2021 and increased its employee count by 50%.

With powerful motivators, including up to 20% salary bonuses, company trips and more, Hale creates a supportive environment that fuels employees’ drive to succeed.

The collaboration, team building and camaraderie evident at eeCPA is a testament to the investment Hale has made in herself and her approach to improving workplace culture, cultivating a workplace that gives employees a hands-on role in changing client outcomes, seizing bigger opportunities with upward mobility and advancing in the industry.

Rather than insist on doing everything herself, Hale actively mentors her employees, helping each find their fit and where they can excel. They meet regularly to discuss what the employee wants to achieve and how Hale can help make it happen.

“Empowering others is the key to unlocking your business’s true potential,” Hale says. “When you invest in and empower your team, not only do you cultivate a culture of growth and collaboration, but you also create limitless opportunities for success and achievement across the board.”

eeCPA eecpa.com

Elizabeth Hale’s latest passion project is Start Savvy, a nonprofit she founded to help youth ages 12–18 develop critical business skills to put them on a path to future success. She organizes workshops covering personal finance topics, including distinguishing between needs and wants, how to live on minimum wage and how to save money, recruiting local entrepreneurs to teach them.

If you have news to share about the semiconductor industry in Arizona, email us at semiinsights@ inbusinessphx.com

Why Will the Semiconductor Industry Be a Game-Changer for Arizona?

Is it time to add a new ‘C’ to the historic ‘Five C’s’ of the state’s economy?

by Martijn Pierik

For decades, Arizona has been known for its Five C’s — climate, cattle, cotton, copper and citrus — but it may be time to add a new “C” to the list: chips. The semiconductor industry is not entirely new to Arizona. Intel has been operating here for several decades, and Microchip and ON Semiconductor have also been successful over the years. But the recent announcement of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s investment of $40 billion to set up a manufacturing facility in Arizona has brought the industry into the limelight like never before. And for good reason.

The semiconductor industry is a game-changer for Arizona in many ways. For starters, it will diversify the state’s economy, which has been heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture for decades.

But why is the semiconductor industry so critical for Arizona, and how will it impact the state’s future?

Semiconductors are the building blocks of modern electronics and are found in everything from smartphones to automobiles to medical devices. As the demand for these devices continues to grow, so does the need for semiconductors, leading to a surge in semiconductor manufacturing. Evidence of this surge is seen with companies like Intel and TSMC building new fabs (fabrication facilities) in Arizona.

One of the key benefits of this influx of semiconductor manufacturing is the creation of new jobs. According to a recent Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity report, the semiconductor industry is expected to create over 6,000 new jobs in the state by 2024. These jobs will range from highly skilled positions in engineering and research to more entrylevel jobs in manufacturing and assembly. And the industry’s presence will create a ripple effect on other sectors, including construction, logistics and software. Companies that supply the semiconductor industry will also set up shop in the state, generating additional job opportunities.

But it’s not just about jobs. The semiconductor industry is also bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise. For example, Intel has partnered with Arizona State University to create the Global Semiconductor Alliance Center of Excellence, which aims to promote collaboration between academia and industry in the semiconductor field. This partnership will help to train the next generation of semiconductor engineers and researchers and will also help to drive innovation in the industry.

The semiconductor industry is known for its high level of collaboration and innovation. As companies work together to develop new technologies and processes, they also share knowledge and expertise, leading to a more vibrant and diverse ecosystem. This collaborative spirit is already evident in Arizona with the establishment of the Arizona Technology Council’s new Semiconductor Industry Association chapter. This chapter will bring together leaders from across the industry to share knowledge and collaborate on new projects and initiatives.

Arizona’s semiconductor industry’s growth is poised to create a more diverse and richer ecosystem. With new jobs, increased collaboration and innovation, and a focus on education and training, Arizona is well-positioned to become a leader in the semiconductor industry, not just in the United States but globally. TSMC’s investment is one of the largest foreign investments in U.S. history and the largest in Arizona, making it a significant win for the state. With its location and skilled workforce, Arizona will become a hub for technology and innovation.

So, while the Five C’s will continue to be a part of Arizona’s history, the semiconductor industry will undoubtedly shape its future. The industry’s presence in the state will diversify its economy, generate high-value jobs, drive innovation and attract investment. Overall, the semiconductor industry’s arrival in Arizona is a significant win for the state, so it’s time to add that new “C” to the list.

Martijn Pierik is cofounder and executive chairman at Kiterocket. kiterocket.com

According to a recent Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity report, the semiconductor industry is expected to create over 6,000 new jobs in the state by 2024.

Jim Mello

Amtech Systems’ recent acquisition of Entrepix, a globally recognized expert in chemical mechanical polishing and wafer cleaning, also led to the personnel announcement of Jim Mello as the new general manager of Entrepix. With more than 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Mello will be responsible for the overall Entrepix business, driving global sales by working together with PR Hoffman and Intersurface Dynamics for further penetration into the silicon carbide (SiC) market. This will be accomplished by expanding sales channels internationally to reach more customers and broaden Entrepix’s product portfolio.

Previously with SEZ America, Mello brings executive experience as VP of Sales and Marketing and advisory board service to the SEZ Group. His expertise will be instrumental in driving accelerated sales growth and continued technology innovation for Entrepix. —Stephanie Quinn entrepix.com

Françoise von Trapp

Françoise von Trapp, renowned as the “Queen of 3D” in the semiconductor industry, has recently embarked on a new chapter in her career: co-owner and editorial director of 3D InCites, a vibrant and inclusive community platform.

At 3D InCites, von Trapp spearheads a member-centric ecosystem, supporting the diverse landscape of heterogeneous integration, 3DIC and chiplet technologies. Her influence and expertise have played a pivotal role in shaping semiconductor device packaging advancements. Alongside her community-building initiatives, von Trapp actively engages as a podcaster, blogger and influencer, empowering professionals within the industry.

Previous to this endeavor, von Trapp dedicated 11 years as a subject matter expert and later as the content and creative director at Kiterocket, a fullservice PR agency focusing on the semiconductor industry. —Stephanie Quinn 3dincites.com

ASU Is Central to AZ’s Semi Activity

From the products that drive our everyday life and increase our productivity to the military systems that are critical to national defense, microelectronics are the technological tap root of the most advanced tools and systems upon which we depend. Every year in every innovation, our dependency deepens, resting on a global supply chain system that is fragile. The pandemic drove home the point.

So, in the past two years, American leadership in government and business have embraced the need to re-establish the industry’s domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity, and both private and public investment (the CHIPS and Science Act) have driven a reawakening. Activity is intensifying at all levels and Arizona is in the thick of it.

An historical home to microelectronics companies, Greater Phoenix is now a hub of this phase of domestic reinvestment in the industry. Intel and Taiwan-based TSMC (the largest semiconductor manufacturing company in the world) lead the way, but they are not alone and companies of all sizes feed the supply chain.

As industry and government investments advance innovation and expansion in microelectronics, American universities have an important role to play.

Arizona State University, home to the largest engineering school in the country now with more than 30,000 students, sits at the center of this activity. Our faculty and students work closely with companies in the Valley — from Intel and TSMC to startups and mid-sized companies, through internships, fellowships, applied learning programs and research projects. ASU produces graduates in demand and ready to enter the industry. ASU also works with companies and employees already in the industry through short courses and certificate programs that enable people to sharpen their skills or acquire new skills that both advance their career and provide the workforce that these growing companies need.

For the past eight years, ASU has been ranked No. 1 in innovation by US News & World Report — a designation that invites the question, “What exactly does that mean?” It is a mindset that flows from the ASU charter, an institution designed as a national service university, built to accelerate positive outcomes through the integration of cutting-edge technological innovation. And it means that ASU is responsive in moments like this

that call upon us to work collaboratively to pursue goals in the vital interest of our country.

Some examples:

• ASU’s MacroTechnology Works – This one-of-a-kind hybrid facility, both a lab and a fab, advances research and development, and manufacturing — bridging a gap that enables companies to prototype at scale and push new concepts from development to commercialization and adoption. Companies from around the region utilize this facility because it provides such a unique setting for collaboration with faculty and students.

• Dreamscape Learn – Given the demands of workforce development, ASU is working creatively to develop new ways to access learning and deliver student success. Dreamscape Learn is a collaborative venture between Dreamscape Immersive and ASU, merging the most advanced pedagogy with the entertainment industry’s best emotional storytelling, redefining how we teach and learn in the 21st century.

• Meeting the moment with government and industry – ASU is well on its way to creating a world-class center of excellence for microelectronics research, development, education and training, and works closely with government agencies such as Defense and Commerce to meet the objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act.

Summoning the will to become a global leader in microelectronics is one thing; developing the workforce is another.

Producing people with the skills capable of driving a rapidly changing industry at the scale necessary to meet the country’s goal of developing the biggest and best semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in the world will take time, effort and collaboration. America’s universities have a critical role to play.

—Jay Thorne, assistant vice president of Media Relations & Strategic Communications at Arizona State University

ASU’s MacroTechnology Works and the tools it houses are an order of magnitude larger than the clean room and nanofabrication facilities at other universities. MTW’s scale makes it a bridge across the so-called “Valley of Death” that exists between facilities and expertise and is a frequent barrier to tech transfer.

WELL WELL

Cornerstone Healing Center Advancing Education in Substance Abuse Treatment

The growing opioid crisis in the United States is one of society’s most pressing problems. Latest data from The National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that among people aged 12 or older in 2021, 9.2 million people misused opioids (heroin or prescription pain relievers) and reported more than 80,000 deaths from overdose the same year — a stark increase from the 68,000 the year prior. In Arizona alone more than five people die per day from opioid-related overdoses, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Experts say that increased awareness, improved access to drug abuse treatment, and adequate training for current or prospective medical providers can be a game-changer in the future of the opioid crisis.

Cornerstone Healing Center — which is located in Scottsdale and recently celebrated five years in the Valley — has begun a comprehensive nurse practitioner preceptorship program to educate the next generation of medical professionals in the most effective and up-to-date methods of addiction treatment. Available for both in-person Arizona State University students, along with other Arizonabased students who are participating in online nurse practitioner programs throughout the country, the program provides hands-on training opportunities that will allow students to have face-to-face interactions with clients participating in residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient programs.

The goal is to provide students with valuable insights into recognizing, diagnosing, and treating all manners of substance abuse disorders, an area of study that’s often overlooked in traditional nurse practitioner programs, and is often given minimal attention on board certification exams and reviews.

In the near future, Cornerstone also hopes to collaborate with its students to analyze real-world data that will help to formulate future treatment programs. This will help to create guidelines that will inform the medical community as a whole on the most effective methods of helping people overcome their substance abuse disorders. —Mike

Hunter cornerstonehealingcenter.com

How Healthcare Organizations Are Undermining Their Data Security Efforts

Most healthcare organizations are inadvertently making it easier for hackers to gain access to their sensitive data through a culture that enables and, in many cases, encourages employees to bypass security protocols in favor of administrative bureaucracy.

Here are three ways in which healthcare organizations are making data breaches easier for hackers.

Requiring login and password access to physicians credentialing data on CAQH Proview and state licensing boards. Requiring employees to provide login and password information for personal accounts is a common practice in some healthcare organizations. However, this approach is flawed and sets a dangerous precedent for security culture within the organization. Not only does this increase the risk of data breaches and identity theft for clinical employees, but it also fosters a culture that deprioritizes cybersecurity and promotes password sharing and other insecure behaviors.

When people other than the clinician have access to this information, it opens up the question of data reliability. If anyone can login and edit the data as though they are the physician, they can attest to things that are not true and make claims about professional competencies they are not qualified to make, making the reliability of all clinician credentialing data within that database suspect.

By requesting personal login information from their employees, healthcare organizations send a message that cybersecurity is not a top priority, which can lead to complacency and a lack of understanding among employees about how to keep sensitive data secure. Instead, healthcare organizations should implement more secure methods of authentication and access control to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.

Allowing and even encouraging clinicians to share logins and passwords to EMRs. Healthcare organizations may allow clinicians to share login credentials for EMRs and other systems to make it easier for them to access patient information quickly. Despite this practice being both a significant security risk and HIPAA violation, 73% of healthcare professionals admitted to using the password of another individual to access EHR records at least

once, according to a study published by the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association

This statistic is alarming and highlights the need for healthcare organizations to implement better security policies to prevent password sharing. Sharing login credentials among clinicians creates an opportunity for hackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive patient information. Moreover, it makes it difficult to track who accessed the information, making it challenging to identify who is responsible for a potential data breach.

Despite the risks and regulations, some healthcare organizations continue to insist on having their EHR logins and passwords on file for other employees to see and use. This bad security practice is a problem that needs to be addressed to prevent future data breaches.

Failing to make regular cybersecurity training a requirement for ALL employees in the organization. Cybersecurity is everyone’s job, not just the IT or cybersecurity team’s job. Therefore, it is crucial for all employees in a healthcare organization to receive regular cybersecurity training. This training can help employees identify potential security threats and teach them best practices for avoiding them. It can also help employees understand the importance of protecting sensitive patient information and how their actions can impact the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.

However, some healthcare organizations fail to make regular cybersecurity training a requirement for their clinical employees. This oversight can lead to employees unknowingly engaging in risky behaviors that could lead to data breaches. It is essential for healthcare organizations to make cybersecurity training a priority for all employees and to regularly update their policies and training programs to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats.

Each cybersecurity incident costs a healthcare organization an average of $10.1 million, according to a 2022 report by IBM Security. To avoid these costs, healthcare organizations must take cybersecurity seriously and implement best practices to prevent data breaches. —Sarah M. Worthy, CEO and founder of DoorSpace (doorspaceinc.com), a company that is transforming the way healthcare organizations retain and develop talent while solving critical turnover issues in the healthcare industry

The U.S. healthcare industry has been plagued with cybersecurity incidents and data breaches, which are increasing year after year. In fact, the healthcare industry experiences more data breaches than any other industry, including finance, education, manufacturing, public administration, and professional services. These breaches are not only costly but also potentially life-threatening to patients whose sensitive medical information is exposed.

IS WHAT GIVES US PURPOSE HONOR

Honor is what motivates our team of dedicated healthcare professionals. Through passion and purpose, we come together to ensure every patient is provided with the best possible care. honorhealth.com

The Rise of Banking-asa-Service

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital solutions across industries, notably in e-commerce, which is forecasted to reach $92 billion in global financial transactions by 2025. The hyper-growth of the sector continues to push brands and marketplaces to build financial services into their platforms.

Changing consumer preferences have also impacted other industries, including traditional finance. Digital banking has become the main method of financial interaction for many consumers worldwide, with the pandemic accelerating this shift, as almost 75% of consumers now use digital channels to open accounts, particularly through mobile apps. While this shift in consumer behavior pushed forward the need for more digital financial solutions, the recent regulatory changes and drop of investment in the fintech industry made entering the financial services sector more complex and resource intensive.

Both cohorts — the customer-facing, nonfinancial brands that are looking for embedded finance capabilities, and fintechs that are typically the technology providers facilitating innovative digital solutions — are increasingly turning to Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) to fast-track their business operations. Experts indicate that the industry is expanding by 26% annually. ConnectPay, an all-in-one finance platform for online businesses, reports a 350% increase in inquiries for BaaS when comparing Q1 of 2022 and Q1 of 2023.

Banking-as-a-Service effectively allows nonbank institutions to offer branded (“white-label”) financial services without going through the difficult and costly process of obtaining their own banking licenses. A good BaaS provider will not only address a client’s present needs but also have the resources at hand to adapt to their future growth. “Through strategic partnerships, a good BaaS provider can offer its clients a wide range of services to ensure that they remain responsive in a rapidly changing market,” says Simas Simanauskas, chief business officer at ConnectPay. By leveraging the power of banking services and technology, brands can focus on what they do best and create more value for their customers and stakeholders. —Mike

Hunter

Beyond ChatGPT

ChatGPT only scratches the surface when it comes to artificial intelligence business solutions. While businesses around the world are already discovering the advantages of AI chat, this new technology is only one node in a matrix of AI products that can significantly improve the functionality of business both large and small. AI-powered tools exist today that can combine and optimize functions such as sales, marketing, quality control, and data protection.

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR AI TOOLS AND TIPS THAT CAN HELP IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY?

AI is being leveraged by a range of SMEs to optimize processes as well as improve security and efficiency. But just what are the most popular AI tools and tips that can help improve productivity? This is a business-critical question. Anyone working within a busy working environment knows how valuable time can be. Without the right focus, resources and tools, a business will likely lose time and potential customers. AI continues to advance and is providing new ways to accelerate and streamline project run rates. AI software and apps can help manage marketing schedules, centralize project management tasks as well help automate social media accounts and manage emails and security. There are various types of tools that a business can use to significantly optimize processes. Here are some AI tool application tips that could assist in optimizing business processes and improve productivity.

Project management AI software: Project management tools with integrated AI will improve human activities by providing machine learning processing capabilities. This will streamline project decision making. Workflow management is especially useful if a team is dispersed, or involves remote members, contractors or freelancers who may not report to daily meetings or work typical 9–5 hours.

Performance management AI applications: Time tracking can monitor team performance. For most businesses, tracking time is about understanding processes, getting sufficient data to help employees work toward better efficiency, and having enough data to maximize revenue and business profitability.

VoIP with speech recognition: Speech recognition is the capability that enables a program to process human speech into a written format. This is widely offered through VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone telecommunication provider features. The productivity benefits of speech recognition lie around how it can be a key driver of revenue growth and efficiency

connectpay.com

Some researchers predict that embedding financial services into platforms for enhanced user experience will see 182% growth in the next five years.

while streamlining and reducing traditional or legacy business processes. Speech recognition AI can not only allow business leaders to listen to call recordings and see their text transcription, but also provide them with the visibility of call analytics data for further internal business processing, analysis and improvements.

AI analytics and marketing management: For business leaders looking to streamline their marketing and content scheduling process, editorial calendars can help consolidate campaigns, blogs and social media into a single calendar. Online search providers use AI analytics to understand users, their buying cycle and behavior patterns. AI applications can follow the end-to-end journey from source. This allows marketers to better target and place media advertisements for the specific products.

Internal communications management: Gone are the days of solely relying on email for internal communication or relying on email as an in-house filing system. Many SMEs today typically use real-time conversations and chat programs to streamline negotiations and finalize important documents.

AI productivity tools can help a business deliver more, in less time, often providing costsaving benefits along the way. From scheduling content marketing to handling all company documentation, there are many AI apps with an easy-to-use interface to help boost productivity. For those looking to grow their company, AI productivity tools can provide a significant competitive advantage within today’s business world. Dmitry Tokar, co-founder of Zadarma (zadarma.com), an industry-leading VOIP platform that provides AI-based speech analytics and transcription services

Making energy-efficient upgrades with SRP Business Solutions pays off. We offer a range of rebates on things like new HVAC systems and refrigeration to LED lighting and EV fleet transformations. If it saves energy, chances are SRP has a rebate for it. See

Tourism Taxation&

How the bed tax and major events benefit business

by RaeAnne Marsh

In addition to three buildings with nearly one million square feet, the Phoenix Convention Center also offers an outdoor meeting and event space in the form of 3rd Street, called Canyon on Third. In this photo,

“As Greater Phoenix continues to evolve, the visitor industry for our destination continues to grow,” says Eric Kerr, vice president of Insights and Development for the convention and visitor bureau Visit Phoenix. He cites the fact that, since 2020, 46 new hotel properties have opened in the region with more than 7,600 hotel rooms. Additionally, Sky Harbor International Airport has also invested more than $1 billion in renovations and expansions — expanding international routes to Mexico, Canada, Germany and the UK, with multiple airlines launching new and expanded domestic service.

a group looks onto Canyon on Third from a North Building patio.

Photo by Scott Francis, courtesy of Phoenix Convention Center & Venues

Kerr points out this destination regularly hosts some of the largest annual events in the world, like the WM Phoenix Open, Fiesta Bowl, Barett-Jackson and two NASCAR race weekends. And we’ve recently hosted Super Bowl LVII and will host the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2024. “These events, outside the Olympics, are two of the largest rotating events a destination can host,” he says. “These events are global spectacles and bring the entire world to us while generating millions in direct spending to support the destination and support the region’s economic development efforts.”

He sees incredible growth that is not slowing down and notes the Greater Phoenix hotel market has one of the largest hotel pipelines in the country, with more than 110 properties and 14,800 new hotel rooms proposed for the destination. Luxury, high-end hotel developments that are being announced and preparing to open include The Global Ambassador, VAI Resort, Caesars Republic Scottsdale and Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley. Says Kerr, “The excitement and anticipation for these properties begins in the development stage and are sure to draw high spending travelers to the destination.”

Michael Martin, president and CEO at Tempe Tourism Office, points to some of the activity in Tempe, noting the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena at ASU is home to ASU Hockey and NHL team Arizona Coyotes Hockey, the community IcePlex, and hosts major concerts and other national acts and activities. And newly opened in Tempe is Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU, with 330 rooms, more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, two restaurant concepts, a coffee shop and a rooftop pool area with bar.

Commenting on new economic drivers, Stephanie Pressler, director of Community and Government Affairs for Experience Scottsdale, says, “In recent years, wellness has been a growing trend in tourism, and Scottsdale’s stirring natural beauty, resort spas and outdoor adventures have attracted leisure visitors.” She sees special events and mega events as having been especially important in driving tourism this year, from the Super Bowl to the first full Cactus League Spring Training season since 2019. “Meetings groups enjoy our unique outdoor venues, as well as our dining and arts and culture.”

Recognizing that travelers, whether leisure or business, are seeking out unique experiences, Experience Scottsdale and the City of Scottsdale partnered with local businesses to develop the Exceptionally Scottsdale Collection, distinctly Scottsdale experiences for locals, visitors and meetings groups alike.

Connecting tourism and the economy, Visit Mesa marketing director Kate Yordi shares, “We’ve seen new types of visitors emerge out of the pandemic, but we are really looking forward to the continual growth of the digital nomad market, or those who are able to now travel more frequently and for longer stays due to their flexible work schedules.”

And Kerr notes the impact of growing economic development sectors, as Greater Phoenix has become a burgeoning tech hub with the investment of TSMC “in addition to landing one the country’s largest technology conference in SemiconWest, which will be hosted at the Phoenix Convention Center in 2025, 2027 and 2029.”

Photo by Analisa Shah, courtesy of Experience Scottsdale

“Jack Knife” by Ed Mell, located in the roundabout at Main Street and Marshall Way in Scottsdale’s Old Town Arts District

Tourism and Conventions Retain Economic Strength

Pressler notes Scottsdale has been reaping the benefits of a strong tourism industry for well over a century, and, despite economic headwinds, travel sentiment studies indicate Americans intend to prioritize travel in their budgets in the coming months. “From the 19th century to the 21st century,” she says, “tourism has helped spark our community’s economic growth and development and has remained one of Scottsdale’s leading industries — in jobs, tax revenue and economic impact.”

She reports that, though the industry was significantly impacted by the pandemic, once hospitality businesses reopened, U.S. visitors returned; once border restrictions lifted, international visitors began traveling here as well. In 2021, the most recent year data is available, Scottsdale’s 9.7 million visitors generated an economic impact of $2.5 billion and helped put nearly 20,000 people to work in the community. “Tourism has proven to be a resilient industry, and we expect those numbers to grow as the industry continues to recover,” Pressler says.

Describing the travel sector as an integral part of our economy, Kerr notes that visitors generate significant economic benefits to households, businesses and government alike and represent a critical driver of the city’s future. In 2021, more than 16.3 million visitors came to Phoenix and spent more than $3.2 billion in the region, with spending impacting multiple industries directly and indirectly. “This amounts to more than $8.7 million spent in the city from visitors each day — and this was still considered a down year due to effects of the pandemic,” he says.

In 2021, tourism supported jobs accounted for 7.3% of all jobs in the city and tourists generated more than $452 million in state and local taxes. Kerr points out these taxes support state and local government services like police, fire, parks, transportation, education and healthcare for Phoenixarea residents. According to Tourism Economics, each household in Phoenix would need to be taxed an additional $778 to replace the visitor-generated taxes received by state and local governments in 2021.

Asked if we could still rely on tourism and conventions as an economic driver as we have in the past, Yordi responded with an unequivocal “absolutely,” noting, “Post pandemic, leisure travel rebounded fairly

quickly in many markets, even surpassing 2019 benchmarks as of last year.” Although the meetings and group visitor segment is still below prepandemic levels, she cites analysis by Tourism Economics predicting a full recovery by 2024. “Additionally, when looking at the potential impacts of an economic recession, U.S. travelers show no signs of cancelling their travel plans or travelling less as a result,” she says. She points out, however, they are reducing spend on retail transactions, prioritizing experiences over consumer goods.

Experience Scottsdale’s April newsletter reported that, in the first months of 2023, Arizona experienced a “super season” from the confluence of sports and tourism. Super Bowl LVII, spring training and the WM Phoenix Open, combined, resulted in an economic “blast” for the state. In fact, it cited the Common Sense Institute of Arizona report for February that 6.4% of Arizona’s total economy comes from the sports and tourism sector. Among

Photo by Adam Rodriguez, courtesy Visit Phoenix (top); by Jenna McKone, courtesy Experience Scottsdale (bottom)

Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix

Outdoor shopping at Kierland Commons in North Scottsdale

Tourism and Conventions

Retain Economic Strength (con’t)

the businesses that benefited from the ripple effect of those events were restaurants, hotels, casinos and tourist attractions. In fact, Arizona Restaurant Association President Steve Chucri shared anecdotal evidence some restaurants saw sales increase 25% to 35% or more from January to March. Common Sense Institute Executive Director Katie Ratlief was quoted as observing, “We have such a strong sports and tourism sector. When we have major events like the Super Bowl, it gives us an opportunity to sell the state. People come for the sporting event but stay for other tourism opportunities.”

Martin reports that Tempe is experiencing a surge of interest in group meeting requests for proposals. “We are seeing an increase in Requests for Proposals across the board for all types of group meetings,” he says. He’s observed a growing demand to return to meetings, perhaps as a response to the increase in work-from-home across the country, with group meetings seen as a way to unite staff, associations and other groups who otherwise are not seeing each other as much as they did pre-COVID. “The only difference now,” he says, “is that the booking window seems to be much shorter and the group sizes (total attendees and rooms contracted) are not as large as pre-COVID.”

DMO/CVB Strategy

Visit Phoenix promotes the destination to a global audience of potential visitors that include meeting planners, travel agents, tour operators, travel media and leisure travelers, according to Kerr, who reports, “We book and support nearly 70 large meetings and conventions in the Phoenix Convention Center annually.”

Its marketing targets key feeder markets like Chicago, Denver and Southern California, aiming to generate new stays in the destination. And it encourages visitors that already selected Phoenix to spend more time in the destination taking in all that Phoenix has to offer.

Pressler makes the point that, before a visitor or meetings group decides on a specific hotel, golf course, spa or restaurant, they first must choose to come to the destination. “They need to be not only aware of Scottsdale, but also see positive portrayals of the destination that create a desire to visit. They need to be frequently reminded of the destination so that Scottsdale is top of mind when they’re planning their travels.” With tourism such a fiercely competitive industry, CVBs invest considerable time, research, testing and development into creating a destination brand that is effective and appealing. “Through our marketing, public relations and sales efforts, Experience Scottsdale ensures that visitor and group dollars land in our community,” she says.

In fact, noting that travel is often the first step in shaping perceptions for potential residents, business owners and C-suite executives, Pressler says, “Experience Scottsdale’s destination promotion contributes to a positive overall impression of the area.” Citing research conducted by Longwoods International, she shares that consumers who recalled Experience Scottsdale’s promotions were not only more likely to visit, but also more likely to view Scottsdale as a good place to live, work, start a business, purchase a vacation home and retire.

“Experience Scottsdale also works closely with the City of Scottsdale’s economic development team to attract group business from the key segments and industries they are targeting, such as financial, insurance and healthcare,” Pressler relates. For example, in February, to leverage the

appeal of the Super Bowl and WM Phoenix Open, Experience Scottsdale assisted the economic development team in hosting corporate site selectors in Scottsdale, allowing them to experience all Scottsdale has to offer.

This is a point Yordi also makes, referring to the organization by a combination of the old and new terms: destination marketing organization as well as convention and visitors bureau. This more explicitly recognizes that, at the core of every DMO/CVB is the objective for economic growth. Thus, she notes, many DMO/CVBs are even part of the city’s Economic Development Department. “At Visit Mesa,” Yordi says, “our mission is to ‘Promote the value and vitality of our visitor economy to create a better community.’ We do this by carefully curating content and inspiration for visitors, meeting planners, sports groups, and even residents to visit, stay and spend in our community.”

Visit Mesa also has a Sales Team that goes out on behalf of its local hospitality partners to promote the destination as a premiere location to host their events, whether that is a tradeshow, conference, tournament or group tour. Says Yordi, “By bringing this business to Mesa, our community benefits from the impact of the visitor dollar. Not only do they see the economic value through the additional revenue injected into the local economy, but they also benefit from the state and local taxes generated off of visitor spending.”

“Curating content is the most important factor for us right now,” says Tempe’s Martin. This means new and updated photography, video and stories. “We believe that keeping our content fresh, reliable and relevant will win over our target markets. People are curious to see what is new in the outdoor, dining and cultural landscape. Our markets are also interested in diversity and want to know how Tempe walks the walk when it comes to DEI.”

Martin found this to be a factor before COVID, but feels it now has risen to the top as people are seeking quick and digestible content in their busy lives. “So, while content has always played an important role, it has increased in relevance.”

Photo by White Tie Productions and Ashley Orellana, courtesy of Visit Phoenix

2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale golf course

COVID Impact?

Pressler recalls that, early in the pandemic, people were largely traveling closer to home, and Experience Scottsdale saw visitors coming from states like Nevada and New Mexico, which were not traditional feeder markets for visitation. Experience Scottsdale leaned into digital advertising, which enabled flexibility and cost efficiency in its marketing. This also allowed the organization to raise awareness of Scottsdale in such new markets — reaching potential travelers who had perhaps never considered the destination before. “We continue to leverage this strategy, and, while top markets like New York City and Chicago remain important, we’re also excited to introduce Scottsdale to new visitors around the country,” says Pressler.

In the meetings segment, Experience Scottsdale worked with Arizonabased planners to ensure they were considering Scottsdale’s hotels, resorts and venues for their meetings, conferences, retreats and events.

“For Visit Phoenix, our sales, marketing and media relations teams are back out promoting the destination, attending tradeshows and conducting sales missions to generate new interest in Phoenix,” says Kerr. Efforts have included conducting destination and organization branding exercises with resident and visitor feedback, launching new visitor services that include a LiveChat function on its website, and offering a dedicated Visit Phoenix app that is available on iOS and Android.

Observing that, since COVID, dozens of new hotel properties have begun development and millions of dollars have been spent to renovate and

enhance existing properties, Kerr points specifically to the multiple new hotels and attractions that have opened over the last five years that cater to kids and families, naming Great Wolf Lodge, OdySea Aquarium, Medieval Times and Popstroke as among the most popular. Says Kerr, “These are amazing attractions locals can experience with their families while also providing new experiences for visitors with children to experience.”

This focus on the local community is relatively new. As Yordi shares, “A silver lining to an otherwise difficult time was that COVID helped us realize the importance of our local community’s buy-in.” During that period when almost no one was traveling, Visit Mesa shifted almost overnight to adapt its messaging, focusing on residents and creating informational hubs to help local businesses reach a greater audience. “We realized how valuable the support of our residents and hospitality workforce is to the overall success of the destination, therefore we have continued to include residents in our campaigns and our strategic plans,” she says.

Additionally, Visit Mesa has invested in the future of the local workforce, starting the Mesa Regional Foundation for Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion in 2022. “We saw many of our closest hospitality partners struggle to keep up with demand, needing help filling open positions due to shifts in the workforce caused by the pandemic,” Yordi explains. The foundation’s pilot program, S.T.E.P., introduces students from Title 1 and vocational high schools to career opportunities within Mesa’s hospitality industry.

Photo by An Pham, courtesy of Visit Phoenix

First Friday ARTS Market in Phoenix

Visitor-Generated Revenue

The bed tax is an important revenue source, as Mesa’s Yordi explains: Most DMOs/CVBs are funded through some form of bed tax (or sometimes called Transient Lodging Tax or Occupancy Tax). These are fees levied off hotel room bookings, a percentage of the average daily rate for that hotel room. A portion of the bed tax along with other sales taxes are remitted to the local and state governments. Another portion gets remitted to the DMO/ CVB to fund marketing and sales efforts to bring in visitors and their dollars. In 2016, Arizona began collecting occupancy tax on short-term vacation rentals (STVRs). “While we have seen valid concern for the STVR impact on local communities’ access to affordable housing, the STVR market saw extreme year-over-year growth in tax revenue for the past couple years,” she says, noting, “Visitor tax receipts help keep resident taxes lower, and the yield is more efficient as visitor tax receipts support essential public services, yet visitors themselves typically don’t utilize services like schools, libraries and jails.”

Martin relates that, in 2022, Tempe Tourism saw a calendar year increase in bed tax collection of 45% over 2021. He cites two factors playing a role in this growth:

“First, 2021 was still a recovery year from COVID. There was still a rebuilding taking place in 2021 over the down COVID year of 2020. Then, it appears that in 2022, we had a very strong recovery over 2020 and 2021 in terms of demand for the market. Plus, Arizona has been able to recover more quickly than other parts of the country.

“Secondly, we saw a strong growth in our Average Daily Rate. This is important because the growth in demand was such that our hotel partners were able to raise their rates and still have a positive year.”

Pressler makes her point very succinctly: “Valuable visitor-generated tax dollars elevate Scottsdale’s quality of life,” she says. Sales tax is part of that, and all sales taxes paid by Scottsdale visitors are allocated to the city’s General Fund, helping pay for essential public services such as police, fire and transportation. Bed taxes, meanwhile, are reinvested back into the community and the tourism industry. In Scottsdale, 5% of a visitor’s hotel

room rate is collected as bed tax. Half of bed-tax collections are allocated to support the General Fund, special events and tourism-related capital projects, as established by voters in 2010. Since 2010, bed-tax dollars have increased significantly, reaching approximately $34 million in 2022. Over the years, the bed tax has helped support and grow special events like Scottsdazzle, the Parada del Sol parade, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, and more. The monies have been used to fund, renovate and upgrade tourism-related capital projects, including Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, WestWorld, and Scottsdale Stadium. “These and many other events and amenities made possible by our visitors are part of what makes Scottsdale not only an attractive place to visit but also to live and work,” Pressler says. The remaining half of annual bedtax collections are allocated to destination promotion to ensure visitors continue filling Scottsdale’s hotels and resorts and generating these impactful dollars.

Giving a broader perspective, Phoenix’s Kerr reports that visitor spending, visitor-supported jobs and business sales generated $927 million in government revenues, and state and local taxes alone tallied $452 million in 2021. This includes $249 million in sales tax revenues, $44 million in hotel bed tax revenues, and $96 million in property tax revenues. Noting that a substantial portion of these taxes are earmarked to support local residents, Kerr says, “City of Phoenix uses portions of its sales tax revenues to support neighborhood protection, public safety expansion, parks and preserves and transportation infrastructure expansion.”

Observes Kerr, “Without the millions of visitors coming to the city annually, local governments cannot provide the same level of service for their residents.”

Experience Scottsdale experiencescottsdale.com

Tempe Tourism Office tempetourism.com

Visit Mesa visitmesa.com

Visit Phoenix visitphoenix.com

Photo courtesy of W Scottsdale and Visit Phoenix

W Scottsdale hotel near Old Town Scottsdale

Spotlight: The Phoenix Convention Center

“Downtown Phoenix continues to evolve with the opening of new restaurants and businesses,” says Jerry Harper, deputy director of Phoenix Convention Center and Venues.

For instance, construction is underway on several mixed-use developments in the area. Among these are Central Station and Palmcourt Tower. Central Station’s two high-rise towers will bring new residential offerings, student housing, retail and office suites to the transit center at Central and Van Buren. A total of 365 luxury forrent units and 693 student housing beds will be added. Developer Medistar will also incorporate current light rail and bus infrastructure into the completed project. Palmcourt Tower began construction in the first quarter of 2022. Located at the corner of 5th and Van Buren streets, it will offer 354 luxury and workforce residential units.

“Phoenix remains a top destination for meetings and conventions, and the Phoenix Convention Center is consistently on the list of top 10 convention centers in the country,” Harper says. As such, it continues to host conventions with thousands of attendees throughout the year. In 2022, the Phoenix Convention Center saw 65 conventions, with 244,048 in attendance and 309,240 total room nights.

Noting that the Phoenix Convention Center generates more than $300 million in direct visitor spending annually, Harper says, “The economic lift from meetings, conventions and exhibitions not only impacts our home of Downtown Phoenix, but all of Arizona.”

Phoenix Convention Center & Venues phoenixconventioncenter.com

View of the Phoenix Convention Center’s North Building, which connects to the West Building via a Sky Bridge that goes over 3rd Street

The Phoenix Convention Center’s West Building entrance; the entrance also houses a Starbucks location adjacent to the main doors of the building

Amri B. Johnson is the author of Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable. For more than 20 years, he has been instrumental in helping organizations and their people create extraordinary business outcomes. He is a social capitalist, epidemiologist, entrepreneur and inclusion strategist.

Johnson’s dialogic approach to engaging all people as leaders and change agents has fostered the opening of minds and deepening of skillsets with organizational leaders and citizens, enabling them to thrive and optimally contribute to one another and their respective organizations.

As CEO/founder of Inclusion Wins, Johnson and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion. Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Johnson has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife, Martina, and their three kids.  inclusionwins.com

JUNE

Dealing with DEI Pushback

Eleven strategies to defuse resistance in your organization

by Amri B. Johnson

Inclusion is good for organizations and good for employees. But if your company is like many, everyone may not welcome the new conversations and initiatives taking place around diversity, equity and inclusion. In fact, there will almost certainly be resistance to your efforts to create belonging — maybe subtle, maybe overt, or maybe both.

Some people might refuse to engage because they insist they are not part of the problem, that they are “colorblind” and treat everyone the same way. Others may believe they got to where they are by hard work (and so should everyone else).

Some may feel like outsiders or “the other” themselves and resent being excluded when DEI strategies focus primarily on historically excluded groups.

One thing’s for sure: DEI efforts can bring up intense feelings. People of power and privilege may be astonished to learn about the lived experiences of those who have been excluded or underrepresented in the past. This realization may trigger shame, grief or even anger and indignation in some employees. Organizations face the challenge of moving forward while being sensitive and accommodating to all workers as they navigate these changes.

Business leaders can deal productively with frictions without steamrolling over people’s viewpoints. With the right approach and tools, leaders can educate workers on how inclusion benefits everyone — yes, even those “at the top” — and enlist them to help transform the business’s culture.

My DEI template, called an Inclusion System, solves for all these problems and more. It centers on the truth that inclusion is a human-centric pursuit; it benefits everyone, regardless

Some people may feel like outsiders or “the other” themselves and resent being excluded when DEI strategies focus primarily on historically excluded groups.

of their race, gender, orientation, ability level or any other distinguisher. We can actually create belonging when we make DEI work for everyone. Keep reading to find out how.

Keep the lines of communication open. It could take time for some to come around to the progress being made in their organization, so leaders should plan to reiterate their goals and the reasoning behind them regularly. It’s important they be transparent about why they are taking action. They should share what the problems are, the reasons they matter to individuals and to the greater organization, and what the plan is moving forward.

Avoid accusations and blame… Pointing the finger at any groups or individuals won’t win many ardent supporters. It will just alienate some of the group. Instead, leaders should ensure that the language they use to talk about inclusion does not place blame or shame on dominant groups.

…And acknowledge that social tensions are normal. It’s important to remind everyone that tensions exist in systems where there is difference of any kind. Even when it is uncomfortable, this tension is necessary — and it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Problems come only when DEI practitioners and groups don’t know how to navigate the tensions and complexities that come from differences.

Get rid of the “us versus them” paradigm and make inclusion for everyone. Neither marginalized nor dominant groups enjoy being “othered,” but this is what happens when any group is singled out in DEI work. True inclusion dismantles the “us versus them” paradigm altogether and takes a “we” approach instead. For inclusion to benefit anyone, it must always benefit everyone.

This is great news for holdouts or resistors. Leaders should explain that inclusion is not about lifting up any one group above others. It’s about helping everyone thrive.

Create safe spaces for honest, meaningful conversations. People from historically dominant identities may feel genuine confusion and discomfort when learning more about the marginalization of others. Leaders should ensure that there are safe and brave spaces where they can talk openly and process these feelings. It’s important for leaders to allow people to express themselves, be there to support them and share alternative viewpoints. Changing hearts and minds is possible, even around the complexities that will always exist around these issues.

Generate a culture of curiosity and empathy. It’s important to encourage employees to approach inclusion efforts with an open mind and heart. Leaders should remind everyone that, while they may not understand the lived experiences of all individuals they work with, all experiences are valid. They should be encouraged to move forward with curiosity and empathy — especially when they don’t understand or don’t agree. Curiosity helps us seek and be receptive to other points of view. Empathy allows us to connect by tapping into what another person is feeling. When these forces align, employees can begin bridging the differences that may have prevented collaboration and engagement.

Educate people on how to be more inclusive. Some people genuinely may not realize the ways that their actions or behaviors are harmful to their fellow employees. That’s why it is important to teach the best practices that help everyone feel welcome and safe.

Allow people in power to voice their concerns safely. Since inclusion is for all people, those who may feel the most threatened or disadvantaged by DEI efforts need to be able to process their feelings as well. Leaders should encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings, but be ready to explain why inclusion benefits not only underrepresented employees but the entire organization and everyone in it.

Bring people together. To break down stereotypes and biases, it’s important to foster relationships between people who may otherwise not interact. Leaders should focus on an environment of collaboration and ensure that every team is made up of diverse people from varying backgrounds.

Include leadership in your inclusion efforts. From the C-suite to team managers, all leaders should present a unified front in support of DEI. When leaders have buy-in and embrace inclusion with enthusiasm, employees will, too.

Actively prevent ostracization. Ostracism is a subtle form of abuse but is soul-crushing for the person experiencing it. The bully is usually adept at making it appear that the recipient is the cause of the behavior. Those trusted with managing people must be on the lookout for signs of ostracism. Are some employees consistently left out of the loop? Are certain people given the cold shoulder or excluded from collaboration?

If a leader spots someone who may be excluding others from the workplace culture, that might signal it’s time to have a tough conversation — sharing what was noticed (or what was reported, if someone shared their experience with that leader). The leader should state why this behavior is wrong and give the person a chance to change the behavior. It might be a misunderstanding or an oversight.

Inclusion is the way forward, but that doesn’t mean the path will always be easy or drama-free. The new playing field may feel different for people of privilege, and there could be growing pains as organizations become more equitable and welcoming to all. It’s still worth the effort and, in the end, all stakeholders will benefit.

Fire Your Hiring Habits

Recruitment methods now include LinkedIn; algorithms; and attracting top talent through the types of flexibility, benefits and environment the modern workforce demands. From rethinking certifications and degrees to work-from-home options and many other innovations, John W. Mitchell, Ph.D., will challenge business leaders to Fire Your Hiring Habits! As a thought leader in the electronics industry, Mitchell brings a global perspective and openness to the ever-changing ways (and places) we work. Using real-life examples and presenting challenging problems, Mitchell offers solutions-focused answers to finding and retaining today’s top talent.

Fire Your Hiring Habits: Building an Environment that Attracts Top Talent in Today’s Workforce

Dr. John W. Mitchell

ForbesBooks Available 6/20/2023

From Stuck to Unstoppable

$27.99

256 pages

We can CHOOSE to become unstuck! We all have moments when we feel stuck and our circumstances seem impossible to change. Whether it is in a corporate environment or our personal life, stuck is stuck — wherever we are. The good news? It is possible to get “unstuck,” even in the most difficult of times. In her twenties, Trish Hunt had it all: an exciting new job, a loving husband and two beautiful young children. But when her husband died in a tragic car crash, her life was shattered. Suddenly, she was living in the very midst of what it means to be “stuck.” Calling upon common-sense childhood lessons imparted by her nononsense single mother, she went from working out of a broom closet to leading a division of a S&P 500 company.

From Stuck to Unstoppable: The Power of Intentional Decision-Making in Life

Hidden Genius

What distinguishes the truly exceptional from the merely great? After five years of writing The Profile, Polina Marinova Pompliano has studied thousands of the most successful and interesting people in the world and examined how they reason their way through problems, unleash their creativity and perform under extreme pressure. The highest performers don’t use tricks or hacks to achieve greatness. They use mental frameworks that fundamentally change the way they see the world. They’ve learned how to unlock their hidden genius in order to reach their full potential. This book will help readers do the same. After learning from the world’s most successful people featured inside, readers will have a mental toolkit to help them tackle thorny problems, navigate relationships, and use creativity and resilience in times of uncertainty.

Hidden Genius: The secret ways of thinking that power the world’s most successful people

Polina Marinova Pompliano

Harriman House Available 6/20/2023

$27.99

252 pages

People of power and privilege may be astonished to learn about the lived experiences of those who have been excluded or underrepresented in the past.

Edgar R. Olivo es un educador empresarial bilingüe, asesor económico y colaborador de varios medios de comunicación. Es apasionado por la educación y comunidad.

Está certificado en finanzas y análisis de datos y posee un título en negocios de la Universidad

Estatal de Arizona.

5 Consejos para Desarrollar un Plan de Negocios Sólido que le Ayudará a Obtener Capital

por Edgar R. Olivo

Edgar R. Olivo is a bilingual business educator, economic advisor and contributor for several media outlets. He’s a nonprofit executive who is passionate about education. He is certified in finance and data analytics and holds a business degree from Arizona State University.

Comenzar un pequeño negocio es un gran paso y obtener capital es esencial para su éxito. Un sólido plan de negocios es un componente clave para asegurar el financiamiento que necesita para hacer crecer su negocio y alcanzar sus objetivos. Ya sea que esté buscando un préstamo de un banco, una inversión de una firma de capital de riesgo o financiamiento colectivo de inversores individuales, un plan de negocios bien elaborado lo ayudará a destacarse de la competencia y aumentará sus posibilidades de éxito. Aquí hay cinco consejos para ayudarlo a desarrollar un sólido plan de negocios.

1. Defina sus metas y objetivos comerciales. El primer paso para crear un plan de negocios sólido es definir sus metas y objetivos comerciales. Esto incluye determinar lo que espera lograr a corto y largo plazo, así como los pasos que debe seguir para alcanzar esos objetivos. Es importante tener una comprensión clara de lo que desea lograr para poder crear un plan que se ajuste a su visión y garantice que se mantenga en el camino correcto.

Por ejemplo, si su objetivo es abrir una nueva ubicación, deberá incluir los pasos necesarios para asegurar un contrato de alquiler, contratar personal y comprar equipo. Si su objetivo es aumentar las ventas, deberá describir una estrategia de marketing que llegue a posibles clientes y genere tráfico a su negocio.

2. Realice investigación de mercado. La investigación de mercado es una parte importante de la creación de un sólido plan de negocios. Esta investigación lo ayudará a comprender su mercado objetivo, la competencia y las tendencias actuales en su industria. Esta información es fundamental para ayudarlo a crear un plan realista y alcanzable.

Por ejemplo, si está iniciando una panadería, deberá investigar el mercado local para determinar la demanda de productos horneados y la competencia. Esta investigación lo ayudará a determinar la mejor ubicación, los tipos de productos que debe ofrecer y su estrategia de precios.

3. Defina su propuesta de valor única. Su propuesta de valor única es lo que distingue a su negocio de la competencia y es fundamental para ayudarlo a obtener capital. Esta es una declaración que explica por qué su negocio es diferente y por qué los clientes deben elegir su negocio en lugar de otros.

Por ejemplo, si está comenzando una cafetería, su propuesta de valor única podría ser que solo utiliza café orgánico y de comercio justo y ofrece pasteles horneados localmente. Esto lo diferencia de otras cafeterías y proporciona a los clientes una razón para elegir su negocio.

4. Describa sus proyecciones financieras. Las proyecciones financieras son una parte fundamental de cualquier plan de negocios y son esenciales para ayudarlo a

Para asegurar financiamiento para tu negocio, un plan de negocios sólido es esencial. Sigue estos consejos: define objetivos, realiza investigación de mercado, define tu proposición de valor única, elabora proyecciones financieras y busca retroalimentación de asesores confiables. Con un plan de negocios sólido, podrás destacarte y aumentar tus posibilidades de éxito. Recuerda actualizarlo a medida que tu negocio crezca.

obtener capital. Estas proyecciones deben incluir sus ingresos, gastos y márgenes de beneficio esperados. Es importante ser realista al crear sus proyecciones financieras, ya que los prestamistas e inversores querrán ver que tiene un plan sólido para generar ingresos y administrar gastos.

Por ejemplo, si está comenzando una tienda minorista, sus proyecciones financieras podrían incluir el costo de los bienes, alquiler, servicios públicos y gastos de personal. También deberá estimar la cantidad de ingresos que espera generar y los márgenes de beneficio que espera lograr.

5. Busque comentarios de asesores de confianza. Finalmente, es importante buscar comentarios de asesores de confianza, como un mentor de negocios, contador o abogado. Estos asesores pueden proporcionar valiosos conocimientos sobre su plan de negocios y ayudarlo a identificar áreas de mejora. También pueden ayudarlo a comprender los aspectos legales y financieros de comenzar un negocio, lo cual es fundamental para ayudarlo a obtener capital.

Por ejemplo, un abogado puede revisar su plan de negocios para asegurarse de que cumpla con las leyes y regulaciones locales. Un contador puede ayudarlo a comprender las implicaciones fiscales de comenzar un negocio y brindar orientación sobre cómo administrar sus finanzas.

En conclusión, desarrollar un sólido plan de negocios es esencial para cualquier propietario de un pequeño negocio que busque obtener capital. Siguiendo estos cinco consejos, los emprendedores pueden asegurarse de que sus planes sean completos, bien investigados y comuniquen de manera efectiva la visión y el potencial de su negocio a posibles inversores. Desde definir su mercado objetivo y comprender su competencia, hasta crear proyecciones financieras y describir una estrategia de marketing, un sólido plan de negocios puede ser la clave para asegurar el financiamiento necesario para crecer y tener éxito.

Recuerde, un plan de negocios es un documento vivo que debe actualizarse y revisarse a medida que su negocio crece y evoluciona. Tómese el tiempo para hacerlo bien, y estará en camino de asegurar el financiamiento que necesita para llevar su negocio al siguiente nivel.

5 Tips to Develop a Strong Business Plan That Will Help You Obtain Capital

by Edgar R. Olivo

Starting a small business is a big step and obtaining capital is essential to its success. A strong business plan is a key component in securing the funding you need to grow your business and reach your goals. Whether you are seeking a loan from a bank, investment from a venture capital firm or crowdfunding from individual investors, a well-crafted business plan will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of success. Here are five tips to help you develop a strong business plan.

1. Define your business goals and objectives. The first step in creating a strong business plan is to define your business goals and objectives. This includes determining what you hope to achieve in the short-term and long-term, as well as the steps you need to take to reach those goals. It is important to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve so that you can create a plan that aligns with your vision and ensures that you stay on track.

For example, if your goal is to open a new location, you will need to include the steps necessary to secure a lease, hire staff and purchase equipment. If your objective is to increase sales, you will need to outline a marketing strategy that will reach potential customers and drive traffic to your business.

2. Conduct market research. Conducting market research is an important part of creating a strong business plan. This research will help you understand your target market, the competition and the current trends in your industry. This information is critical in helping you create a plan that is realistic and achievable.

For example, if you are starting a bakery, you will need to research the local market to determine the demand for baked goods and the competition. This research will help you determine the best location, the types of products you should offer and your pricing strategy.

3. Define your unique value proposition. Your unique value proposition is what sets your business apart from the competition and is critical in helping you obtain capital. This is a statement that explains why your business is different and why customers should choose your business over others.

For example, if you are starting a coffee shop, your unique value proposition might be that you only use organic, fair-trade coffee and offer locally baked

pastries. This sets you apart from other coffee shops and provides customers with a reason to choose your business.

4. Outline your financial projections. Financial projections are a critical part of any business plan and are essential in helping you obtain capital. These projections should include your expected revenue, expenses and profit margins. It is important to be realistic when creating your financial projections, as lenders and investors will want to see that you have a solid plan for generating revenue and managing expenses.

For example, if you are starting a retail store, your financial projections might include the cost of goods, rent, utilities and staffing expenses. You will also need to estimate the amount of revenue you expect to generate and the profit margins you hope to achieve.

5. Seek feedback from trusted advisors. Finally, it is important to seek feedback from trusted advisors, such as a business mentor, accountant or attorney. These advisors can provide valuable insights into your business plan and help you identify areas for improvement. They can also help you understand the legal and financial aspects of starting a business, which is critical in helping you obtain capital.

For example, an attorney can review your business plan to ensure that it complies with local laws and regulations. An accountant can help you understand the tax implications of starting a business and provide guidance on how to manage your finances.

Developing a strong business plan is essential for any small business owner looking to obtain capital. By following these five tips, entrepreneurs can ensure that their plans are thorough, wellresearched and effectively communicate the vision and potential of their business to potential investors. From defining your target market and understanding your competition, to creating financial projections and outlining a marketing strategy, a strong business plan can be the key to securing the funding needed to grow and succeed.

Remember, a business plan is a living document that should be updated and revised as your business grows and evolves. Take the time to do it right, and you will be well on your way to securing the funding you need to take your business to the next level.

To secure funding for your business, a strong business plan is essential. Follow these tips: Define goals, conduct market research, define your unique value proposition, outline financial projections and seek feedback from trusted advisors. With a solid business plan, you can stand out and increase your chances of success. Remember to update it as your business grows.

Yolanda Slan is the head of HR at Televerde, a global revenue-creation partner supporting marketing, sales and customer success for B2B businesses around the world. A purposebuilt company, Televerde believes in secondchance employment and strives to help disempowered people find their voice and reach their human potential. Seven of Televerde’s 10 engagement centers are staffed by incarcerated women, representing 70% of the company’s 600+ global workforce. televerde.com

Companies Can’t Afford to Lose Focus on Talent Retention

On top of costs, even filling open slots can be difficult

by Yolanda Slan

Talent retention is a critical aspect of any successful business. Retaining talented employees, or failing to do so, can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line. A business that can keep employees around long-term reduces the cost of hiring and training new employees. Talent retention also mitigates lost productivity caused by constantly having to train employees. What’s more, employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to be productive and engaged. These employees are more likely to also produce higher-quality work and improve customer satisfaction.

As companies face economic uncertainty, a strong talent retention strategy is crucial. Even in a job market that is cooling off, it can be difficult to fill open roles. Companies that want to drive sustainable growth should look to keep their best employees around and promote from within.

According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, the average cost of replacing an employee can be up to 50% to 60% of their annual salary.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Employee turnover can be costly and disruptive for businesses. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, the average cost of replacing an employee can be up to 50% to 60% of their annual salary. But many employers estimate the total cost to hire a new employee can be three to four times the position’s salary. This cost includes advertising, recruiting and training expenses, along with the business impact of lost productivity during the time it takes new employees to get up to speed. What’s more, high employee turnover can negatively impact company culture and employee morale, which can lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism.

On the other hand, employee retention can have a positive impact on the company’s bottom line. Retaining experienced employees reduces the cost of acquiring new talent. However,

that’s not the only benefit. Loyal employees, those who feel valued by their employers and engaged with their work, are more likely to go above and beyond for the company, driving innovation and optimization. They are also more likely to act as brand ambassadors, which can help attract other top talent and reduce the time it takes for new employees to integrate into the company culture.

Here are some of the most effective ways to retain employees: Offer competitive compensation and benefits. One of the most effective ways to retain employees is to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages. This includes offering salaries that are in line with industry standards, as well as providing healthcare, retirement and other benefits that meet the needs of employees. Companies trying to do more with less can be quick to reduce benefits. However, they are making themselves a less competitive choice for top talent while potentially sabotaging their employee retention strategy. Companies that offer unique benefits, such as childcare vouchers, travel incentives and bonuses, will stand out.

Provide opportunities for growth and development. Employees want to feel like they are growing and advancing in their careers. Companies that offer opportunities for growth and development, such as training programs, mentorship and promotion opportunities, are more likely to retain employees. Nobody wants to feel like their career trajectory is stagnating. And if a current employer won’t help them take the next step, they will most likely look elsewhere. Training and mentorship are perhaps the most

important factors for employee growth. Providing regular feedback and performance reviews can also help employees understand how they can improve and grow within the company.

Foster a positive company culture. Company culture plays a significant role in employee retention. A positive company culture that values and respects employees can help create a sense of belonging and loyalty. If employees feel like their role in a company is “just a job,” then the culture is failing. It’s important to remember that company culture starts with leadership. Leaders should always model the behaviors they want employees to emulate. Companies can foster a positive culture by promoting work-life balance, offering employee recognition and appreciation programs, and providing opportunities for team building and socializing. However, for any of those tactics to work, they must start with the leadership at the top.

Offer flexibility and work-life balance. As more companies ask (or demand) that employees return to the office, many employees are questioning their employer’s commitment to work-life balance. Employees value flexibility, and companies that offer flexible work arrangements — such as remote work or flexible hours — can help employees better balance their work and personal lives. While many employers are moving to a hybrid model, those remaining rigid in their office mandates are more likely to lose employees. However, offering remote work isn’t the only way to promote work-life balance. Ensuring that employees receive flexible paid time off and other benefits, such as company-sponsored wellness apps and mental health programs that support employee well-being, can also improve retention.

Improve management and leadership. Effective management and leadership are essential to employee retention. Managers who are supportive, communicative and transparent can help create a positive work environment that encourages employee loyalty. Providing regular training and development opportunities for managers can also help improve their leadership skills and ability to manage teams effectively. Employees want to feel seen, heard and appreciated. Managers who welcome diversity of all kinds, and who can adapt to different styles of working and employee abilities, help to build the kind of culture that makes employees want to stick around.

Employee retention is crucial for the success of any business. By investing in employee retention, companies can reduce turnover, improve productivity and create a positive work environment that attracts and retains top talent. And companies that are able to retain their best employees will reap the benefits.

Companies that offer opportunities for growth and development, such as training programs, mentorship and promotion opportunities, are more likely to retain employees.

Investing in employee retention, companies can reduce turnover, improve productivity and create a positive work environment that attracts and retains top talent.

SOME WAYS TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF A BUSINESS MAY INCLUDE:

Sales

• Diversify customer base.

• Formalize growth strategy, extend key customer contracts.

• Business operations

• Solidify corporate governance.

• Address and reduce legal risks.

• Extend key vendor contracts.

• Put business documents in order.

Marketing

• Build brand equity and reputation through PR and marketing.

• Modernize website and online presence.

Financials

• Organize/audit financial statements.

• Develop formal budgets and forecasts per department.

• Ensure high-quality earnings analysis.

• Clear leadership transition plan

• Develop/maintain an organization chart.

• Put in place a strong middle management team and experienced senior managers.

• Establish key employee agreements.

Thinking of Selling Your Business?

Key steps for Arizona business owners to take

by Scott D. MacDonald

Baby boomers own approximately 40% of privately-owned small businesses and franchises in the U.S., according to MBAStack. Gen X-ers own the highest percentage of small businesses at 46%, and their relative share is increasing. With boomers already in or reaching retirement age, and Gen X only 12 to 15 years behind that, many business owners are considering selling their businesses.

But according to research from wealth management firm UBS, many business owners haven’t done much actual planning around exiting their business. Unfortunately, lack of planning may result in a lower valuation when the business owner is ready to sell. Selling a business may take longer than expected — most sales take six months to two years — and often, as much as 80% of the business owner’s financial assets are tied up in the business.

So, what steps should local business owners take to maximize the eventual sale? Wealth advisors typically recommend owners and founders start planning for their eventual exit from the very first month of running their business — and definitely two to four years before retiring.

PRE-EXIT PLANNING: GET THE BUSINESS READY TO SELL

Most businesses have a “range of value” for sale price. Being transition-ready will help to increase this value; being “best-in-class” will receive highest value. Business owners should ensure they have the right team in place to manage the business when they are gone. If sales are not as high as the owner might like, it could be beneficial to bring in a senior sales associate. Financial records should also be in good order to make it easy for a prospective buyer to assess.

EXIT AND SALE

Scott MacDonald is a senior vice president of wealth management and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® with UBS Financial Services Inc., working with UBS clients for more than 16 years. MacDonald’s experience includes working in the Regional Consulting Center alongside top consultants in banking, financial planning and alternative investments, as well as advising middle market business owners. advisors.ubs.com/scott.macdonald ubs.com/us/en/ designation-disclosures.html

JUNE 2023

In every case, the owner’s needs vary depending on where the business is in its own cycle; however, the next step is to build a “Deal Team.” This team consists of an exit planning advisor or wealth manager, a tax professional (often a CPA), an M&A or transaction attorney, and investment banker. It’s good to have one of these advisors be the “quarterback,” guiding the owner every step of the way, helping to minimize the emotionality of it. The quarterback can help owners determine the best option(s) for their business and may be responsible for bringing in prospective buyers, usually at least two, to create competition.

When ready, several options for sale exist:

• Outright sale: Sell 100% of the business to a buyer from the same industry or with a complementary business model, known as a merger and acquisition (M&A). The acquirer could be a private or public company.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Sell the business at fair market value to employees through an ESOP, a taxadvantaged, leveraged buyout. Owners often go this route when there is an obvious choice for CEO/president and a team that may have been with the company for a long time, to provide for employees and see the business continue.

• Recapitalization: When a 100% sale is not desired, the owner can sell a minority or majority equity stake in the company for asset diversification and liquidity. This allows owners to retain some control while de-risking and taking out some cash; this sale usually goes to private equity firms or new partners.

• Legacy ownership: Transition ownership to the next generation of family members, normally adult children, by way of sale or gift, or a combination. This works better when the children have already been involved in the business and expressed a desire to maintain it.

POST EXIT

Once the business is sold, the former owner should have a plan in place to safely use the assets over the long term. The capital itself can be allocated slowly, but the overview of a plan should exist.

Look at three critical time periods when planning for money gained from sale. It’s important to note that timeframes may vary. Strategies are subject to individual client goals, objectives and suitability. This approach is not a promise or guarantee that wealth, or any financial results, can or will be achieved.

• Liquidity: These are the assets the owner will need for the immediate one to three years following exit, covering spending when no income is incoming. These assets are often held in cash, money markets, treasuries and fixed-income vehicles.

• Longevity: These assets cover the next two to ten years. The portfolio needs to generate income, to be able to replenish liquidity for the next decade(s).

• Legacy: This includes money that the former owner may wish to leave to the next generation or philanthropies. This money can be invested in growth-oriented investments that may not need to be used by the owner.

After selling their business, 79% feel a sense of accomplishment, but 38% also feel a sense of loss. Many hope that traveling, reconnecting with family and friends, hobbies, and community engagement will help fill the void — 48% look forward to traveling, 43% look forward to spending more time with family and friends.

Scott MacDonald is a Financial Advisor with UBS Financial Services Inc. a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC in Scottsdale. Private Wealth Management is a division of UBS Financial Services Inc. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of UBS Financial Services Inc. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees (including its Financial Advisors) provide tax or legal advice. For more information, please review client relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationshipsummary, or ask your UBS Financial Advisor for a copy.

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Big Changes Are Coming to HIPAA Privacy Laws Heading into Summer

They include tiered structure for penalties and incentives for reporting

by Heather Macre

As we head into summer, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) will have its first major revisions in ten years. HIPAA is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. HIPAA has three major components: the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule and the Breach Notification Rule. Each of these will be updated as part of these major revisions.

Many of the changes are aimed at increasing patient access to their own electronic health records containing protected health information, or ePHI. Under the newly revised HIPPA:

• Patients will have the right to inspect their PHI in person, including taking notes and images.

• The time for healthcare providers to respond to requests for records and PHI has been shortened from 30 days to 15 days.

• Responses to record requests must also now include billing records in addition to treatment records.

• Healthcare providers must provide ePHI for free when possible and otherwise post a fee schedule on their websites for records requests. Further, when an individual requests his or her records, the provider must provide a personalized cost estimate.

• Healthcare providers will still need to provide their notices of privacy practices but will not need to obtain a signed version from the patient.

There are some new flexibilities for when and how providers may share ePHI with other healthcare providers. Providers will be permitted to make certain uses and disclosures of ePHI based on their good-faith belief that it is in the best interest of the patient, such as sharing information with other providers or those within a treatment network. They will also be allowed to share information for better care-coordination and cases management between and among providers.

Despite these new flexibilities, providers need to be cautious as the new rules may soon allow impacted patients to collect part of the fines that may be associated with a HIPAA breach. In the past, patients could report a HIPAA breach to

The new HIPAA privacy law includes a tiered structure for penalties and incentives for reporting transgressions.

the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights, but they were not compensated for their efforts and there was no private right of action. That appears to be changing and will likely be clarified in late 2023/2024.

In addition, there will be a tiered structure for HIPAA penalties:

• Tier 1: The individual did not know that he or she violated HIPAA and tried to otherwise adhere to the rules: $100 per violation, capped at $25,000 annually.

• Tier 2: The violation had a “reasonable cause,” and the individual should have been aware of the potential risk: $1,000 per violation, capped at $100,000 annually.

• Tier 3: The violation is due to a “willful neglect” of the rules, but the violation is corrected within the required time period: $10,000 per violation, capped at $250,000 annually.

• Tier 4: The violation is due to willful or wanton neglect and there is no attempt to correct: $50,000 per violation, capped at $1.5 million annually.

These fines can add up quickly and, with the potential new incentives for reporters, breach reporting is likely to increase. Providers need to make sure that their privacy and security practices are up to date and adequate, that they are prepared to respond to an incident and that their workforce is educated on cybersecurity and the associated risks.

Finally, the new changes are aimed at aligning HIPAA better with HIPPA Part 2, which creates additional protections specifically for mental health and substance use disorder records. The changes are intended to help create a single patient consent for all uses and disclosures of records that contain mental health and substance use disorder information, such as for treatment, payment and additional healthcare, and to allow patients to obtain an accounting of those disclosures. These changes are especially important as HHS will be able to impose civil money penalties for violations of HIPAA Part 2, in line with the tiered system outlined above.

Once the new rules are published this spring, there should be a “grace period” for enforcement. However, please note, this article does not cover all the changes that are forthcoming. Providers and patients should be aware of these changes and educate themselves on this new privacy landscape.

Heather Macre is an attorney with Fennemore, where she is the Healthcare Practice Group leader. Macre’s healthcare practice encompasses healthcare agreements, noncompete covenants and disciplinary proceedings, CMS compliance, HIPAA and Stark and False Claims Act compliance, among other matters.  fennemorelaw.com/ people/attorneys/ heather-macre

CREATING A BETTER WORLD FOR PEOPLE THROUGH THE POWER OF DESIGN.

ONE SMALL WAY TO AID ESPERANÇA

Now there is a thoughtful way to support Esperança and make someone’s day! GiveWrite Cards is partnering with Esperança and has developed a program to raise money for Esperança’s programs and services.

givewrite.com/ esperanca-inc

Alcock & Associates’ Pro-Community Work

Good lawyering with a finely tuned sense of compassion and charity

by Tyler Butler

Nick Alcock started his firm in a tiny office with a small shingle sign as the only marketing for his new business. His first case was pro bono, as he aided a homeless vet who came into Alcock’s office to combat a fine levied against the gentlemen for not appearing in court earlier in the month. With Alcock’s help, the vet left his office 30 minutes later with his fine zeroed out. From these humble beginnings and kind spirit came a firm steeped in the community and committed to positive change.

Alcock learned the importance of giving back early on from his parents and grandparents — teachings he translated to his business where he intentionally hires people with heart, conviction and a positive outlook on life. Alcock & Associates adheres to the highest ethical and legal standards. And, while the legal field may be a business, the firm operates on the belief that good lawyering requires a finely tuned sense of compassion and charity.

this business for quick fixes. They invest in communities longterm to lift them out of poverty.”

Alcock & Associates funds its philanthropy through the proceeds from its personal injury cases. The impact is farreaching and includes providing more than two million meals to those in need, rebuilding entire communities, sponsoring medical mission trips to Latin America every year and hosting free legal seminars in Phoenix to help those in need of its attorneys’ legal expertise.

Additionally, the foundation sponsors an orphanage in Mexico City that houses children with HIV, as well as several food security programs for the elderly in Colombia. The lawyers at Alcock & Associates are dedicated to bettering the lives of others beyond the courtroom, devoting time and money to help the community here in Phoenix as well as in Latin America.

Tyler Butler is a chief social impact officer for a publicly traded corporate portfolio where she leads programs that positively impact humanity. She is also the founder of 11Eleven Consulting, and she is often cited as a subject matter expert by Forbes, SHRM, Entrepreneur, U.S. News & World Report and more. linkedin.com/in/tylerbutler

JUNE

With a belief that success has a direct correlation to focusing on the community, Alcock & Associates has a strong ethos. It is the firm’s mission to treat others with respect and dignity and, as such, Alcock & Associates attorneys donate food, clothing and shelter to hundreds of needy families in both Arizona and Latin America. Embedded in the root of Alcock & Associates, P.C. is the belief that they work hard so that they can pay it forward.

The John P. Alcock Foundation was founded in honor of Nick’s grandfather, who taught him the importance of investing in the community. Alcock & Associates focuses these efforts through its charity of choice, Esperança. A global health organization founded in 1970, Esperança works to improve health outcomes in seven countries around the world.

Alcock shares, “Our method of centering community is investing in the organizations who can make change more efficiently and sustainably than we ever could. We’ve done our due diligence with Esperança and know that it’s the real thing. In traveling to Nicaragua and witnessing their programs in action, we know that the people who run Esperança are not in

Alcock & Associates funds its philanthropy through the proceeds from its personal injury cases.

Jeri Royce, president and CEO of Esperança, shares, “Esperança is overwhelmed with gratitude for the partnership of Alcock & Associates, to create lasting impact. The power of this investment lies in our community-centered approach and Nick Alcock’s belief in improving long-term outcomes for under-resourced families around the world.”

It’s this outstanding level of care that drives the fervent dedication to giving at Alcock & Associates. This compassion is put into action every day, as the firm identifies one pro-bono case per day, offering free legal services, often to younger clients who don’t have the financial resources to defend their claims. At Alcock & Associates, giving back is a prerequisite to joining the organization.

The firm has created a culture of activism and engagement and, through its deliberate corporate philanthropy, it is impacting not only communities but other countries. Through the firm’s volunteer program and giving, the attorneys at Alcock & Associates stay in touch with the needs of the local community while making positive impact one day at a time. And as Alcock says, “Understanding the needs of each family and individual supported is the key to making change happen.

Alcock & Associates, P.C. alcocklaw.com

Photo courtesy of Alcock & Associates

How to Upskill Employees during a Tight Hiring Landscape

The focus is on helping them align with their organization’s overall growth strategy

by Brian Anders

Talent development initiatives are growing increasingly important, especially as hiring concerns shift from quiet quitting to conscious quitting and beyond. Hiring the perfect candidate is costly — in fact, hiring anyone will likely cost an organization around $5,000 on average. In this landscape, many enterprises don’t have the financial stability to take a chance on hiring a candidate who may not perform. These concerns and the changing business environment have shifted focus toward upskilling existing employees to help them align with their organization’s overall growth strategy.

By taking the time to properly upskill employees, HR leaders can ensure their workforce has the necessary skills and knowledge to stay competitive and adapt to new technologies and industry trends. However, upskilling is not a one-time event but rather a continuous process that requires a welldefined strategy and approach. Let’s explore four pillars that are essential for successfully upskilling employees.

ASSESSING SKILL GAPS

The first step in any upskilling initiative should be to assess the existing skillset of employees and identify any gaps that need to be filled. For example, younger employees may find it difficult to take initiative when it comes to leadership tasks. HR leaders can accomplish this using various methods, including surveys, interviews and performance evaluations. By understanding existing employees’ skill levels, leaders can determine which areas need the most attention and where to allocate resources.

Once skill gaps have been identified, HR leaders should create customized training programs to address those gaps. This can be done through a variety of methods such as workshops, online courses and mentoring programs. Leaders can make the upskilling process more effective and efficient by tailoring trainings to the specific needs of each employee.

CREATING A CULTURE OF LEARNING

A successful upskilling initiative fosters a work environment where active learning and creativity are encouraged. To create such an environment, leaders must encourage employees to take ownership of their own learning and development and foster an environment where continuous learning is valued and supported.

One way to create a culture of learning is to provide employees with access to a wide range of learning resources, such as online courses, workshops and mentorship programs. Additionally, organizations can encourage employees to share their knowledge and expertise with each other through collaborative projects and team-based learning.

Another important aspect of creating a culture of learning is reinforcement. Leaders should recognize and reward

employees who take initiative and invest in their own development. This can be done through various methods, such as bonuses, promotions and public recognition.

PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT

As mentioned earlier, upskilling is not a “one and done” feat. Leaders must provide ongoing support to ensure the success of their training program. Doing so involves providing employees with the resources and tools needed to continue their learning and development beyond the outset of upskilling.

To ensure their program will stand the test of time, leaders should create a knowledge-sharing platform where employees can access resources and communicate with each other openly about their progress. An appropriate channel for this communication might be an intranet portal, social network or learning management system.

Mentoring and coaching programs are another strong way to provide ongoing support that helps employees apply skills they’ve learned in real-world situations. Popular mentoring programs include one-on-one or group coaching sessions. The efficacy of each approach will be determined by an organization’s specific work culture. As such, leaders should consider asking employees about their preferences where it comes to coaching.

MEASURING AND EVALUATING PROGRESS

A solid upskilling initiative will track employee progress over time and evaluate the impact of the training program on their performance and productivity. Metrics are an important part of any initiative as they will reveal the effectiveness of different approaches.

A simple but effective way to measure progress is to use pre- and post-training assessments to gauge employees’ attitudes toward the training program. Leaders can also track the completion rates of various training modules and courses to determine the level of engagement and participation of employees. Modules that go habitually unfinished may need revisions, while training programs that see regular completion are likely actively benefiting employees.

Of course, there is another crucial metric for leaders to track: the impact of the training program on the organization’s bottom line. This can be done by analyzing metrics such as employee retention, productivity and customer satisfaction, all of which track back to key objectives like revenue.

Investing in the development of existing employees will benefit not only individual workers but also the organization by increasing productivity, improving employee engagement and providing the ongoing support that employees at all levels need to become the best — and most efficient — version of themselves.

Hiring the perfect candidate is costly — in fact, hiring anyone will likely cost an organization around $5,000 on average.

Brian Anders joined WorkSmart Systems in 2019 as its director of Human Resources. He has extensive experience in key aspects of HR, and primary areas of acumen include employee relations, organizational training and development, project and talent management, team business, payroll and recruitment. Anders is a graduate of Indiana University and is SHRMCP Certified with National SHRM and Indiana State SHRM Chapter membership. worksmartpeo.com

ENSURING READINESS FOR CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

What other ways can nonprofits ensure a successful campaign launch?

• Choose bold initiatives that are attractive and inspirational to prospective donors.

• Consider natural institutional milestones in conjunction with the campaign’s launch: the organization’s anniversary, the naming of a new president, a groundbreaking or grand opening of a new or refurbished building funded, in part, by the campaign.

Silent Phase to Public: When to Announce a Fundraising Campaign

by Richard Tollefson

Fifty percent. Sixty. Ninety … Conventional fundraising wisdom says nonprofits should have more than half of funds committed or in hand before publicly announcing a campaign.

The intention, after all, is to ensure campaign success. While a silent campaign phase allows fundraisers to secure lead gifts and recruit volunteers behind the scenes, there is always the risk of disincentivizing potential donors. Launch with too many gifts, and prospective donors may ask, “Why should I give? My gift won’t have any impact.” Launch without enough and it becomes more difficult to rally additional donor support.

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

So, when is the best time to go public? It depends. Some nonprofits have situations so unique, they bypass the quiet campaign phases altogether.

Lauri Tanner, CEO of Treasure House, can relate. “We’re too new, too young,” she says of the Glendale-based active living community for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “We had less than 2,000 donors in our database, so we’ve done it the other way.”

Rather than starting a silent campaign focused on top donors, the nonprofit has been filling the funnel with prospects and distilling them. What’s more, Treasure House needed to move its generous benefactors, Brenda and Kurt Warner, from funders to founders so that the nonprofit could diversify and build revenue sources. “We’re blazing a trail and need to get to know people that don’t know us yet,” says Tanner.

Treasure House capitalized on existing events to announce its Growing Home capital campaign: during its annual Celebrity Game Night that raises operational funds, and during a Super Bowl Weekend VIP-event hosted at the Warners’ home. “The Super Bowl event gave us access to high-net-worth individuals who are interested in continuing the Treasure House dialogue,” says Tanner.

But what about organizations that don’t have a donor constituency? Grant-funded institutions that have never before raised money may face building and program needs. In that scenario, it’s appropriate to emerge publicly, and early — trumpets blaring. Billboards, banners and advertising become important for building awareness, while percent-of-goalraised plays little to no role in ramp up.

1. The board: Do they embrace the culture of philanthropy? Have they achieved 100% campaign participation or, for those who can, committed to lead gifts? Are they aligned and synchronized with the two constituencies below?

2. The executive leadership team: Are leaders prepared for the challenges that arise during campaigns: shifts in the economy, staff and executive leadership turnover, board changes? Whether a small social services organization or a complicated public research university, the institution’s leadership must be ready to execute a campaign — particularly the finance and accounting teams. “Campaigns have a budgetary impact,” says Leet. “Additional resources need to be funded. Ongoing funding will be needed to support the campaign, so the budget office needs to be ready.” Has finance bought into the campaign? Are they setting budgets for it?

3. The development staff: Is the organization sufficiently staffed and trained? Do they know how to engage on- and off-campus constituents so that they feel energized about the campaign? “When I was hired as vice president of development for ASU, the university had already conducted an internal assessment from raw data in the donor base and concluded there was enough of a potential donor pool to move forward with a campaign,” says Leet. To pull off a $1.3-billion goal, though, Leet knew he needed more frontline staff. “We made a strategic decision to forgo a campaign right then and instead hire an internal team of leadership and major gifts officers to build a bigger pipeline of major gift donors.”

In a perfect world, all three of those stakeholders would be ready in a synchronized fashion, says Leet, providing high confidence for a successful public launch.

Richard Tollefson is founder and president of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, an Arizona-based international consulting

“Those percentage goals are good guideposts but don’t capture the softer dynamics that must be taken into account beyond just numbers,” says Gregory Leet, senior consultant with Aspen Leadership Group.

THREE COMPONENTS OF CAMPAIGN-ANNOUNCEMENT READINESS

Before publicly announcing a campaign, organizations should focus on the readiness of:

JUNE

THE ROLE OF MOMENTUM

Momentum, which often results from influential donors giving large, highly visible “head-turning” gifts, is critical to the timing of public campaign announcements. “When those gifts come in, it’s like a Good Housekeeping seal of approval,” says Tanner, noting a significant gift announced during her organization’s Celebrity Game Night. “It definitely inspired others to give. And it inspired our residents to be a part of the campaign, too — through a bake sale.”

During a typical quiet campaign phase, nonprofits are raising lead gifts from those close to the organization, building and deploying their volunteer bases, creating collateral materials and developing themes.

firm serving nonprofit organizations as well as institutional and individual philanthropists. phoenixphilanthropy.com

It’s much more than a percentage of goal raised in advance

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The Volvo S90 Recharge brings electric power to the everyday with the Volvo plug-in hybrid sedan. With one-pedal drive and all-wheel drive, the S90 Recharge performs with agility while delivering relaxed control and a smooth, powerful drive. The T8 eAW four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with e-boost offers 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque.

The fine Nappa leather of the S90 is soft to the touch so driver and passengers enjoy relaxed comfort on every journey. In the rear seat, generous legroom optimizes comfort while the exclusive center armrest enables long-distance relaxation and handy storage of essential items. The handcrafted crystal

gear shifter in genuine Swedish crystal is made exclusively for Volvo by Orrefors and exudes luxury. In the city or on the open highway, a panoramic roof lets light flood in, creating a natural, spacious feel for everyone in the cabin.

Favorite apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps and more on Google Play are accessible right in the car for a helpful, personalized and seamless driving experience. With Google Maps seamlessly integrated in the S90, real-time traffic info and automatic rerouting helps drivers reach their destination with less hassle. Head-up display allows drivers to watch their speed, follow turn-by-turn navigation and more — all without losing focus on the road. The brightness of the head-up display adapts automatically to the light conditions, and drivers can set the system to suit their own personal preferences.

Designed for those who seek excellence in sound performance, the 1,410W high-end optional audio system brings exceptional clarity and realism to music, optimizing detail and resolution so the song can be heard as the artist originally intended.

It is safety and luxury combined to bring the ultimate experience of performance and comfort. —Mike

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The Right Note for Workplace Culture

At TouchTunes, we don’t just pursue better workplace culture, we strive for excellence in every facet of the office experience. When it comes to bringing employees together and fostering connections that lead to increased productivity and reduced turnover, TouchTunes offers a suite of interactive music jukeboxes with custom-curated playlists that meet every need. With one subscription that includes a sleek and modern TouchTunes Unlimited jukebox, access to a streamlined app, an expansive music catalog and so much more, organizations have the opportunity to offer a one-of-a-kind perk that demonstrates an investment in their team’s happiness and well-being at work. That’s the kind of positive culture that hits the right note every time. —Ross Honey, president and CEO of TouchTunes touchtunes.com/get-touchtunes/workplaces

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GAMBAS PIL PIL

Red royal shrimp, garlic, chili oil and parsley

$21

Savor the Mediterranean at Arboleda

by RaeAnne Marsh

CHILLED WILD SHRIMP SALAD

Grilled little gems, asparagus, shaved radish and pea tendrils with Green Goddess dressing

$24

Mediterranean is a relaxed atmosphere, which Arboleda delivers in the midst of the bustling urban shopping center Scottsdale Quarter. The restaurant’s indoor-outdoor design of open flow from patio to dining room is even more pronounced thanks to the indoor arches that create a courtyard effect.

“I lived nine years in Spain, and I wanted to give Arizona something different but that fits the environment,” says Björn Kock, who co-owns Arboleda with the brothers Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal. Matching their enthusiasm for Mediterranean cuisine, Executive Chef Evan Gotanda helped bring their vision to the table. Two visions, actually, for the different times of day: the relaxed dinner when guests may be looking to take their time over their repast, and the lunch with a slightly smaller menu that is sensitive — in both preparation and serving — to guests needing to get back to the office. (And the mixed-drink selection includes non-alcoholic choices as well.)

ZA’ATAR CRUSTED TUNA

Seared rare tuna, artichoke hummus, roasted artichoke hearts, pickled mustard seeds, cilantro and EV olive oil

$26

Gambas pil pil — an appetizer on the lunch menu and tapas for dinner — is bite-sized chunks of plump shrimp in a sizzling sauce that combines shrimp oil made in-house, chili garlic oil and olive oil, served with bread crisps for de rigueur dipping. Chicken grilled with the hot Portuguese spice peri peri has a version on the dinner menu and is served as a salad entrée at

lunch. Cavatelli Carbonara, with house-made pasta and a sauce of smoked bacon and parmesan topped with an egg yolk that itself is thick and rich, is an exceptionally tasty lunch choice, benefitting in flavor and texture from the bacon’s 72-hour marinating process.

The menu will reflect seasonal changes — lunch more so than dinner, as Chef Gotanda explains he likes to “switch things up for the regulars” to keep the menu exciting.

Many ingredients are sourced locally, following extensive research into local farms and purveyors. “We want to build a relationship with the local farms; to know the people who make or grow the food,” says Kock, sharing, “That’s part of the fun.” It also means ensuring the sources they work with share their appreciation for quality, explains Chef Gotanda.

Other ingredients are imported from Europe — some, Kock was surprised to find, from sources they were unable to get for their San Francisco restaurants.

Ensuring that the wine list works with the food and atmosphere to all “speak the same language,” Kock notes that Arboleda’s wine list goes around the Mediterranean in its selection.

Misters and heaters allow the patio to be as welcoming as the interior through most of the year, but even through the hottest times of our summer, the restaurant is designed so that its feeling of openness is not lost, thanks to the sliding walls that are full-length window. Sections of the interior can also be closed off for individual events (with audio-visual equipment also provided).

For the experienced restaurateurs, this is their first foray into Arizona. And what they’ve found in our community as they developed Arboleda is, “The people here are just nice,” says Kock. Which is exactly what underlies the elevated experience they bring to life at Arboleda.

Arboleda

arboledaaz.com

Careful sourcing, aiming for the best ingredient for the individual dish, combines local and import. Chef Gotanda uses some shrimp, for example, from Argentina, and other from a source he was pleased to find more local.

Photos courtesy of Arboleda

Specialized Legal Expertise Serves Our Business Community

Optimizing business ins, outs and opportunities

by RaeAnne Marsh

Doing things right at the outset can save time and money down the road. This truism is especially relevant in business. Working with an attorney to ensure a business is on the right track, in compliance and negotiating with protection in mind is why working with an attorney is so beneficial. It is also why In Business Magazine has compiled this Legal Guide to showcase local firms who strongly support the business community and offer their specialized practice areas, to help business owners make decisions on what firm to use locally.

There are many ways a business could get off on the wrong foot without proper advice. A common problem, alluded to in many of the monthly “Legal” articles in In Business Magazine, is businesses taking a DIY approach thinking it will save them money. This often backfires, making things more complicated — and, thus, more costly — when they later do get an attorney involved.

It’s not just a matter of knowing how to deal with certain matters; there may be requirements or implications of which the business owner is unaware. As the saying goes, “Most new business owners don’t know what they don’t know.”

For instance, perhaps a business has been approached by another regarding a transaction. The owner may try to reach agreement on the business terms before getting an attorney involved, and then just ask the attorney to write it up. Law relies heavily on precedent, and there may be implications

and ramifications to certain terms the business owner may be unaware of — this on top of the potential for missed opportunities for the business.

When exiting a business, as well, there are many factors to be considered that an owner may not have dealt with. These include tax ramifications, transfer of intellectual property rights, and how to structure proceeds to be most beneficial for future income. And there may be regulatory requirements such as getting permission from the Federal Trade Commission if the sale exceeds a certain threshold; if the company is in breach or violation of that law, the transaction could be revoked — or fines and penalties could be assessed.

It should be emphasized that, while law does rely heavily on precedent, change does occur — through new regulations, new court decisions and even through public outcry. That’s where knowledgeable representation can make a big difference.

What an attorney brings to businesses, then, is a view to avoid both pitfalls and missed opportunity. This In Business Magazine 2023 Legal Guide has been created to help businesses connect with the appropriate resources for their needs and to be a reference should a specific expertise be needed.

State Bar of Arizona azbar.org

About This Section

HOW TO CHOOSE A LAWYER

• The State Bar Association of Arizona’s website offers these valuable tips:

• Get recommendations from friends and family members who have had positive experiences with lawyers.

• Search for lawyers by practice area or location at the State Bar’s online Find a Lawyer feature on its homepage.

• Visit the lawyer’s website; see if they will answer some basic questions before you commit to meeting with them. Ask about their experience in handling your particular issues, and their availability to take client phone calls and respond to emails. Some lawyers insist that clients make appointments and will not answer client calls and emails. You will want someone who is accessible when you need them.

• Consult a list of Certified Legal Specialists. The State Bar can provide a list of specialists in the areas of Bankruptcy, Criminal, Estate and Trust, Family Law, Injury and Wrongful Death, Real Estate, Tax and Workers’ Compensation. There are also lawyer referral services, which, for a small fee, will help in finding a lawyer.

State Bar of Arizona azbar.org

Ballard Spahr L.L.P.

One E. Washington St., Suite 2300

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 798-5400

ballardspahr.com

Business & Finance, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Public Finance, Real Estate

Bowman and Brooke L.L.P.

2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 1600

Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 643-2300

bowmanandbrooke.com

Product Liability, Commercial Litigation, Healthcare & Nursing Home Negligence, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Class Actions

Bryan Cave L.L.P.

One Renaissance Square

Two N. Central Ave., Suite 2100

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 364-7000

bryancave.com

Bankruptcy, Business & Commercial Litigation, IP, International Trade, Real Estate, Labor

Buchalter Nemer

16435 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 440 Scottsdale, AZ 85254

(480) 383-1800

buchalter.com

Real Estate, Litigation, Corporate, Tax & Estate Planning, Labor & Employment, Bank & Finance, Healthcare.

Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.

1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1700

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 274-7611

bcattorneys.com

Asset Protection, Business & Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Creditors’ Rights, Bankruptcy & Reorganization, Equine Law, Estate & Wealth Preservation Planning, Family Law, Government, Indian Law, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, Real Estate Investment, Succession Planning for Business, Taxation & Tax Controversy

Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen P.L.C.

1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 400 Tempe, AZ 85282

(480) 427-2800

carpenterhazlewood.com

Community Association Representation, Construction Defect Litigation, Insurance Defense, Churches & Nonprofits, Business, Employment Law, Bankruptcy & Reorganization, Landlord/Tenant, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense

The Cavanagh Law Firm

1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 2400 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 322-4000

cavanaghlaw.com

Litigation, Family, Real Estate, Insurance Defense, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights, Healthcare, Corporate

Clark Hill

3200 N. Central Ave., Suite 1600 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602( 440-4800

clarkhill.com

Litigation, Corporate, Healthcare, Real Estate, Creditors’ Rights, Bank & Finance, Family, Immigration

Coppersmith Brockelman P.L.C.

2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1900

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 224-0999

cblawyers.com

Healthcare, Employment, Litigation, Corporate & Real Estate, Governmental Investigations

DLA Piper

2525 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 1000

Phoenix, AZ 85016 (480) 606-5100

dlapiper.com

Corporate, Employment, Tax, Litigation, International Arbitration, Real Estate

Davis Miles McGuire

Gardner P.L.L.C.

40 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Suite 425

Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 733-6800

davismiles.com

Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, Tax, Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Bankruptcy

Dickinson Wright P.L.L.C.

1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1400

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 285-5000

dickinson-wright.com

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation, Employment, Family Law, Tax, International

Engelman Berger P.C.

2800 N Central Ave., Suite 1200

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 271-9090

eblawyers.com

Business Disputes, Real Estate Disputes, Bankruptcy, Reorganization, Creditors’ Rights, Business Transactions, Real Estate Transactions, Water Law, Loan Workouts, Mediation, Public Finance, Bonds, Employment

Fennemore Craig P.C.

2394 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 916-5000

fennemorelaw.com

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Business & Finance, Business Litigation, Emerging Businesses & Technologies, Intellectual Property & IP Litigation, Real Estate, Renewable Energy & Clean Tech, Mining and Environmental, Energy & Natural Resources

Gallagher & Kennedy P.A.

2575 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 1100

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 530-8000

gknet.com

Business Law & Transactions, Litigation, Real Estate, Tax Law, Environmental, Insurance, Healthcare, Sports Law

Gammage & Burnham P.L.C.

40 N. Central Ave., Suite 1200

Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 256-0566

gblaw.com

Business Organizations & Commercial Transactions, Collections & Bankruptcy, Health Care, Litigation, Real Estate, Zoning & Land Use

Gordon Rees Scully

Mansukhani, L.L.P.

2 N. Central Ave., Suite 2200

Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 794-2460

grsm.com

Civil Appeals, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Employment, Insurance Defense, Privacy & Data Security, Real Estate

Greenberg Traurig L.L.P.

2375 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 800 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 445-8000

gtlaw.com

Litigation, Tax, Labor, Construction, Corporate, Securities, Intellectual Property

Guidant Law Firm

402 E Southern Ave. Tempe, AZ 85282

(602) 888-9229

guidant.law

Arbitration & Mediation, Bankruptcy, Cannabis, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Corporate, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate

Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C.

One E. Washington St., Suite 1600

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 257-7422

gustlaw.com

Franchise, IP, Bankruptcy, Construction, Corporate, Creditors’ Rights, Employment, Real Estate

Hymson Goldstein & Pantiliat & Lohr P.L.L.C.

14500 N Northsight Blvd., Suite 101

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

(480) 991-9077

scottsdale-lawyer.com

General Practice, Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate, Bankruptcy

For a more detailed listing of our recommended firms and a complete list of their attorneys and Areas of Practice, please visit inbusinessphx.com/legalguide.

Burch & Cracchiolo

Now with 41 attorneys, Burch & Cracchiolo is one of the Southwest’s premier law firms. The firm was founded in 1970 by Haze Burch and Dan Cracchiolo and today the firm’s lawyers are among the most highly regarded and recognized leaders in the areas of business and corporate law, construction, criminal defense, estate and wealth preservation planning, family law, finance, labor and employment, litigation, personal injury/wrongful death, insurance defense, real estate, tax law and zoning and land use. In 2020, the 80 employees of Burch & Cracchiolo relocated to the entire 17th floor of the BMO tower at Central & Palm Lane after 35 years at the corner of 7th Street & Osborn. The new custom-built space has state-of-the-art technology and audiovisual capabilities, which have been

At the top

TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS

Brennan Ray, Land Use & Zoning

Susie Ingold, Employment Litigation

Ed Fleming, Commercial Litigation

Casey Blais, Real Estate Law

Tonya MacBeth, Family Law

crucial for our clients during the pandemic. It has allowed us to never stop providing the legal expertise and client service for which Burch & Cracchiolo has been known for 52 years. The firm has a long history of giving back to the community through many nonprofit sponsorships, donations and volunteer efforts. Burch & Cracchiolo honors a teacher monthly through the Star Teacher Award, providing $500 to cover non-reimbursable costs for classroom supplies.

At-a-Glance

FIRM NAME: Burch & Cracchiolo

MAIN LOCAL OFFICE:

1850 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1700

Phoenix, AZ 85004

PHONE: (602) 274-7611

WEBSITE: www.bcattorneys.com

OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1

NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED:

Phoenix

MANAGING PARTNER: Andy Abraham

NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 41

YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1970

PRACTICES: Business & Corporate, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning, Personal Injury/Wrongful Death, White-Collar Criminal Law

Jaburg Wilk

3200 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000 Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 248-1000

jaburgwilk.com

Administrative Law, Appellate, Bankruptcy, Business/Corporate, Business Divorce, Collections, Co nstruction, Defamation, Employment, Estate Planning, Family Law, Foreclosure, Healthcare, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property, Internet Law, Litigation, Probate Litigation, Real Estate

Jackson White Senior Law

40 N. Center St., Suite 200 Mesa, AZ 85201

(480) 464-1111

jacksonwhitelaw.com

Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Criminal Defense, Disability Law, Elder Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labor & Employment Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law

Jennings, Haug, Keleher & McLeod, L.L.P.

2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1800 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 234-7800

Jennings Strouss

One E. Washington St., Suite 1900

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 262-5911 • jsslaw.com

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Antitrust, Appellate, Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Creditors’ Rights, Commercial Litigation, Corporate & Business, Eminent Domain, Energy, Estate Planning & Probate, Executive & Employee Compensation, Fidelity, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Medical & Professional Liability Defense, Mergers & Acquisitions, Products Liability, Real Estate, Securities & Finance, Securities Litigation & Regulatory Compliance, Surety, Tax, Tort & Insurance

For a more detailed listing of our recommended firms and a complete list of their attorneys and Areas of Practice, please visit inbusinessphx.com/legalguide.

jhkmlaw.com

Appellate, Business Bankruptcy, Business Law, Commercial Real Estate & Finance, Construction Law, Creditors’ Rights, Employment Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate, Insurance Defense & Coverage, Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Medical Malpractice, Municipal Law, Professional Liability & Lawyer Discipline, Professional Malpractice, Surety & Fidelity Law

Guidant Law Firm

Guidant takes a personalized and practical approach to resolving complex growth-oriented legal issues. Whether handling a contentious dispute, overseeing a sensitive negotiation or positioning a company for growth, the firm maintains a strong client-first philosophy, providing sound and practical counsel.

The partners are business owners who have encountered many of the same opportunities and challenges their clients face — giving them heightened perspective into the concerns that keep clients up at night and insight into how to improve outcomes.

Guidant attorneys are well-known across the state and within their respective industries for integrity and exceptional talent. The respect they command reinforces Guidant’s standing as a firm that provides the highest level of service to businesses. Recognitions include:

At the top

TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS

Lamar Hawkins, Bankruptcy

Scott Jensen, Estate Planning/Probate

Gary Smith, Commercial Litigation

Sam Saks, Commercial Litigation

• Best Law Firms®

• Best Lawyers®

• Southwest Super Lawyers

• Arizona’s Finest Lawyers

• AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

• State Bar of Arizona Presidential Award

Partners are also leaders within the legal community, serving the following organizations:

• State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors

• Arizona Foundation of Legal Services and Education Board

• Arizona Board of Legal Specialization Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission

Jones, Skelton & Hochuli P.L.C.

40 N. Central Ave., Suite 2700

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 263-1700 • jshfirm.com

Insurance Defense, General Civil Litigation, Appeals, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Transportation, Criminal Defense, Medical Malpractice

At-a-Glance

FIRM NAME: Guidant Law Firm

MAIN LOCAL OFFICE:

402 E. Southern Ave., Tempe AZ 85282

PHONE: (602) 888-9229

WEBSITE: www.guidant.law

OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 7

NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Tempe

MANAGING PARTNER: Lamar Hawkins

NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 4

YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 2019

PRACTICES: Arbitration & Mediation, Bankruptcy, Cannabis, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Corporate, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate

Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson, Haluck, L.L.P.

3800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1500

Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 256-0000 • knchlaw.com

Business Litigation, Construction Claims, Construction Litigation, E-discovery & Data Management, Employment Litigation, Environmental, General Legal Defense, Government Tort Liability, Professional Malpractice, Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith Litigation, Workers Compensation, Commercial Trucking & Transportation Defense Litigation

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith L.L.P.

2929 N. Central Ave., Suite 1700

Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 385-1040

lewisbrisbois.com

Medical Malpractice, Construction Defect Litigation, Products Liability, General Liability, Professional Liability

Lewis Roca

Lewis Roca, a premier U.S.-based law firm, serves clients in premier areas such as real estate, labor & employment, corporate, intellectual property, data privacy & cybersecurity, Indian tribal nations, and healthcare. One guiding principle has driven our success: an unwavering commitment to client service. With lawyers and legal professionals across nine offices throughout the western United States, Lewis Roca has the resources and agility to handle virtually any matter.

The firm is consistently recognized for its record of achieving results in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000, Benchmark Litigation and IP Stars. We are dedicated to creating legal solutions for leading businesses throughout the United States with lawyers who have the business and industry know-how to deliver solutions and success to clients.

Because every client engagement is unique, we match our legal approach to the specific challenge at hand. Through our extensive experience across a range of industries, delivered by teams who work collaboratively across practices areas, we develop effective solutions to even the most nuanced and complex legal matters.

Lewis Roca

201 E. Washington St., Suite 1200

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 262-5311

lewisroca.com

Litigation; Real Estate; Labor & Employment; Corporate; Intellectual Property; Data Privacy & Cybersecurity; Indian Tribal Nations; Bankruptcy; Mergers & Acquisitions; Sports, Entertainment & Recreation; Tax; Gaming; Healthcare; Restaurants, Retail & Hospitality

Littler

2425 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 900 Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 474-3600

littler.com

Management-side Employment Advice & Counsel, Labor & Management Relations, Employment Litigation, Immigrations & Global Migration, Business & Human Rights, e-Discovery, International Employment & Labor

May Potenza Baran & Gillespie

1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1600

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 252-1900

maypotenza.com

Administrative Adjudications, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appeals, Bankruptcy Reorganization, Commercial Creditors & Debtor’s Rights, Employment & Labor

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C.

2415 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 800

Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 778-3700

ogletree.com

Employment, Traditional Labor Relations, Litigation, Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets, Immigration

FIRM NAME: Lewis Roca

MAIN LOCAL OFFICE:

201 E. Washington St., Suite 1200

Phoenix, AZ 85004

PHONE: (602) 262-5311

WEBSITE: www.lewisroca.com

OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1

NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Phoenix

MANAGING PARTNERS: Kenneth Van Winkle, Jr., Firm-wide

Laura Pasqualone, Phoenix office

NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 36

YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1950

PRACTICES: Litigation; Real Estate; Labor & Employment; Corporate; Intellectual Property; Data Privacy & Cybersecurity; Indian Tribal Nations; Bankruptcy; Mergers & Acquisitions; Sports, Entertainment & Recreation; Tax; Gaming; Healthcare; Restaurants, Retail & Hospitality

Osborn Maledon P.A.

2929 N. Central Ave., Suite 2100

Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 640-9000

omlaw.com

Commercial Litigation, Corporate & Securities, IP, Technology, Real Estate, Criminal, Bankruptcy

Perkins Coie L.L.P.

2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000 Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 351-8000

perkinscoie.com

Business Litigation, Patent & IP, Business & Licensing, Real Estate, Criminal Defense

Polsinelli

One E. Washington St., Suite 1200

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 650-2000 • polsinelli.com

Business Litigation, Corporate, Financial Services, Health Care, Real Estate, Life Sciences & Technology, Immigration, Tax

Quarles & Brady

Quarles & Brady has approximately 160 diverse attorneys, legal professionals and business professionals in our Phoenix and Tucson offices, each of them committed to the success of our clients.

That commitment is driven by two words — partnership and value — that have been the foundation of our firm’s approach to client service for 130 years and continue to inspire us today. As a firm, we consistently receive notable recognition because we make it our priority to partner closely with our clients and to provide value throughout the relationship.

At the top

TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS

Jason Wood, Phoenix office managing partner and partner in the Real Estate Group

Brad Vynalek, firm president and partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group

Amy Cotton Peterson, national chair of the Health & Life Sciences Group

Leonardo Loo, member of the firm’s executive committee and partner in the Business Law Group

Heather Buchta, Phoenix office chair of the Intellectual Property Group and member of the Data Privacy & Security industry team

Quarles & Brady L.L.P.

One Renaissance Square

Two N. Central Ave., Suite 600

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 229-5200 • quarles.com

Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Business Law, Environmental, Franchise, Healthcare

Radix Law

15205 N. Kierland Blvd., Suite 200

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

(602) 606-9300 • radixlaw.com

Business Law, Real Estate Law, Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy Law, Estate Planning

Renaud Cook Drury Mesaros P.A.

One N. Central Ave., Suite 900

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 307-9900 • rcdmlaw.com

Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability, Insurance Coverage, Appeals, Business & Real Estate

Rose Law Group P.C.

7144 E. Stetson Dr., Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

(480) 505-3936 • roselawgroup.com

Real Estate, Land Use & Zoning, Tax, Family, Estate Planning

Sacks Tierney P.A.

4250 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Fourth Floor

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

(480) 425-2600 • sackstierney.com

Appeals, Banking, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Beneficiary Representation, Business & Corporate, Civil Litigation, Commercial & Public Finance, Construction, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Equity & Debt Finance, Estate Planning, Family Law, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Healthcare, Homeowner Association, Indian Law & Tribal Relations, Intellectual Property, Loan Workouts & Problem Asset Resolution, Marijuana Business, Private & Public School, Probate & Trust Administration, Real Estate, Trust & Estate Litigation, Uniform Commercial Code, Water, Environmental & Natural Resources

At-a-Glance

FIRM NAME: Quarles & Brady LLP

MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: One Renaissance Square Two N. Central Ave., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85004

Partnership means we commit to doing everything we can to help your business succeed. We have deep experience across a broad range of legal matters, including business law; emerging growth companies; energy, environment & natural resources; health & life sciences; intellectual property; labor & employment; litigation; real estate; and zoning & land use.

Value means we never lose sight of your bottom line. While delivering timely, responsive counsel and a favorable outcome for our clients is paramount, we also prioritize cost control and adhering to client budgets. Ultimately, we will work closely with you to ensure we are meeting your definition of value.

When you combine our dedication to partnership and value with savvy legal counsel and the resources of an Am Law 200 firm, it becomes clear why Quarles is the right firm to help you achieve your long-term business goals.

PHONE: (602) 229-5200

WEBSITE: www.quarles.com

OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1

MANAGING PARTNER:

National managing partner – Mike Aldana

National president – Brad Vynalek

Phoenix managing partner – Jason Wood

YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1970

PRACTICES: Nationally, the firm has 12 offices, with primary practices in bankruptcy, restructuring and creditor’s rights; business law; energy, infrastructure and environment; estate, trust and wealth preservation; health and life sciences; intellectual property; labor and employment; litigation and dispute resolution; product liability; public finance; and real estate and land use. The firm also has extensive experience providing counsel on the many issues associated with COVID-19.

Spencer Fane LLP

Spencer Fane is a full-service business law firm focused on providing results that move clients and their businesses forward. With direct access to firm leadership and a different approach to client engagement, its attorneys instill confidence and certainty that the clients’ interests are the firm’s priority. Your business leaders work with our business leader — leaders who work decisively, execute with purpose and understand the importance of flawless timing.

The firm pursues measured growth that created a sizable but controlled footprint without offices on either coast while aligning with the needs of clients in the markets where they do business. This has included a specific focus in Phoenix since establishing our thriving office here in 2017.

At Spencer Fane, we believe diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental principles essential to the firm and our clients’ success. Therefore, we seek to foster and develop a diverse array of attorneys and professional staff who bring varied ideas and perspective to our clients’ complex legal challenges.

In recent years, Spencer Fane clarified and amplified a focus on three distinctive components that fuel a competitive edge:

• Providing extraordinary client service.

• Being the law firm of choice for top talent.

• Driving operational excellence.

At-a-Glance

FIRM NAME: Spencer Fane LLP

MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: 2415 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85016

PHONE: (602) 333-5430

WEBSITE: www.spencerfane.com

OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1

NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Kansas City, MO

MANAGING PARTNER: Patrick J. Whalen

NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM:27

YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 2017

The firm has developed a firmwide focus on the importance of humility, collaboration, empowerment, positive energy and fierce resolve as core values that guide each attorney and staff member. In particular, humility, a selfless way of being that anchors attorneys and employees on a daily basis, sits at the center. The supporting pillars are:

• Resolve to win — an unwavering ambition to realize success.

• External focus with positive energy — a resilience to overcome adversity & focus on possibility.

• Empowerment — an environment where others are inspired to thrive.

• Collaboration — continuous pursuit of more creative solutions through connection with others.

The firm consists of more than 400 attorneys in 21 different practice groups.

The firm has offices in Phoenix, Arizona; Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado; Tampa, Florida; Overland Park, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Greenville, South Carolina; Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Hendersonville and Nashville, Tennessee; and Austin, Dallas, Houston and Plano, Texas.

PRACTICES: Banking and Financial Services; Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights Corporate and Business Transactions; Health Care; Intellectual Property; International; Labor and Employment; Litigation and Dispute Resolution; Mergers & Acquisitions; Real Estate

At the top

TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS

Andrew M. Federhar, Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Andy G. Anderson, Corporate and Business Transactions

David E. Funkhouser III, Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Raj Gangadean, Corporate and Business Transactions

Helen Holden, Labor and Employment

Steven J. Laureanti, Intellectual Property

Michael F. Patterson, International

Jessica Gale, Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Richard H. Herold, Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Brian Zavislak, Real Estate

Salmon, Lewis & Weldon P.L.C.

2850 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 200

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 801–9060 • slwplc.com

Business & Finance, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Law, Corporate Real Estate, Electric Power & Utilities, Environmental Law

Sanders & Parks, P.C.

3030 N. 3rd St., Suite 1300

Phoenix, AZ 85012

(602) 532-5600 • sandersparks.com

Civil Litigation, Corporate, Professional Liability Litigation, Insurance Defense, Public Entity/ Municipal Defense, Intellectual Property

Schneider & Onofry P.C.

365 E. Coronado Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 230-8857 • soarizonalaw.com

Administrative, Business, Employment, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Civil & Commercial, Construction Litigation, Civil Rights, Family

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

201 E. Washington St., Suite 800 Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 240-3000

shermanhoward.com

Real Estate, Labor & Employment, Estate Planning, Bankruptcy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation, Banking & Finance, Immigration, Tax

Snell & Wilmer, L.L.P.

One Arizona Center 400 E. Van Buren St., Suite 1900 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 382-6000 swlaw.com

Banking & Finance, Litigation, Corporate & Securities, Intellectual Property, Labor Employment & Benefits, Natural Resources, Environmental & Energy, Real Estate & Tax

Wilenchik & Bartness

The law firm of Wilenchik & Bartness provides high-level litigation services to a select group of clients. With its many highly skilled attorneys and paralegals, the firm also provides commercial arbitration and mediation services and works closely with businesses to manage their legal needs. It has represented many high-profile individuals in the state and county, including county attorneys, judges, a senator’s son, the state treasurer, the secretary of state, and former and current attorneys general.

The firm was founded in 1991 by Dennis I. Wilenchik, who left a senior partnership at the international firm of Squire Patton Boggs to form a smaller, more personalized practice while retaining a big-firm quality of practice. Still in active practice with his son, Jack — who was selected a “super lawyer” in business litigation this year by Thomson Reuters — he was recently named Best Trial Lawyer in the Valley for the fourth straight year by Foothills Magazine, and one of the Top 100 business lawyers in Arizona by a Business Magazine.

Dennis Wilenchik is rated Martindale-Hubbell AV®-Preeminent™, the highest rating available under the Martindale-Hubbell rating system, and he is listed in the national Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Wilenchik has been a nationally certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for more than 15 years. He is an Arizona Bar Foundation Fellow and was elected a Fellow to the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. Wilenchik has served as a civil judge pro tem of the Superior Court; president of Maricopa County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; board member of the Arizona Bar Journal; chairman and secretary of the Civil Trial Practice Committee; member of the Superior Court Civil Study Committee of the State Bar; and member of the Department of Real Estate Advisory Board, appointed by the governor.

Spencer Fane, LLP

2415 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602)333-5430

spencerfane.com

Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights, Corporate and Business Transactions, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Employee Benefits, Governmental Affairs, Health Care, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Nonprofit and TaxExempt Organizations, Real Estate, Tax, Trusts, & Estates

Squire Patton Boggs

2325 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 700

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 528-4000

squirepattonboggs.com

Corporate, Environmental, IP, Litigation, Public Finance, Restructuring, Real Estate

At-a-Glance

FIRM NAME: Wilenchik & Bartness

MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: 2810 N. Third St. Phoenix, AZ 85004

PHONE: (602) 606-2810

WEBSITE: wb-law.com

OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 2

NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Phoenix

MANAGING PARTNER: Dennis I. Wilenchik

NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 32

YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1991

PRACTICES: Complex Business Disputes, Complex Civil Litigatin, Real Estate Civil Litigation & Appeals, including White Collar Criminal & Construction Litigation & Disputes of All Kinds

Dennis I. Wilenchik • Jack Wilenchik

Dennis I. Wilenchik

Stinson Leonard Street L.L.P.

1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 2100

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 279-1600

stinson.com

Commercial & Class Action Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights, Corporate Counseling, Banking & Financial Services, Real Estate

Tiffany & Bosco P.A.

2525 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 700

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 255-6000

tblaw.com

Banking, Employment, IP, Tax, Real Estate, Commercial Litigation, Construction

Warner Angle Hallam Jackson & Formanek P.L.C.

2555 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 800

Phoenix AZ 85016

(602) 264-7101 • warnerangle.com

Commercial & Business Law, Construction, Real Estate, Commercial Loans, Divorce & Family, Trusts & Estates, Probate

Wilenchik & Bartness P.C.

2810 N. 3rd St.

Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 606-2810 • wb-law.com

Complex Business Disputes, Real Estate Civil Litigation & Appeals, including White Collar Criminal & Construction Litigation & Disputes of All Kinds

Withey Morris P.L.C.

2525 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Suite A-212

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 230-0600

witheymorris.com

Master Plan Developments, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, Development Agreements, Use Permits, Variances, Building Permits & Entitlements, Abandonments, Easements, Design Reviews, Annexations, Stipulation Modifications, Waivers, Subdivision & Plat Maps, Entitlement & Opinion Letters, Interpretation Issues, Code Enforcement & Property Violations, Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments, Due Diligence, Referendums

For a more detailed listing of our recommended firms and a complete list of their attorneys and Areas of Practice, please visit inbusinessphx.com/legalguide.

Abraham, Andy, 57

Adler, Jennifer, 14

Alcock, Nick, 48

Aldana, Mike, 60

Alix, Don, 66

Anders, Brian, 49

Butler, Tyler, 48

Culy, Craig, 12

Cundiff, Billy, 18

Gotanda, Eric, 52

Gray, Justin, 16

Hale, Elizabeth, 20

Harper, Jerry, 37

Hawkins, Lamar, 58

Honey, Ross, 51

Hunt, Trish, 39

Jennifer McCabe, 12

Johnson, Amri B., 38

Keller, Adrian, 14

Kerr, Eric, 30

Kerwin, Sara, 13

Kock, Bjorn, 52

Loo, Leonardo, 60

Lydon, Tony, 18

MacDonald, Scott, 44

Macre, Heather, 46

Martin, Michael, 30

Mello, Jim, 24

Mitchell, Dr. John W., 39

Moore, Bob, 14

Pasqualone, Laura, 59

Pompliano, Polina Marinova, 39

Pressler, Stephanie, 30

Royce, Jeri, 48

Scarano, Beth, 17

Schutz, Kenneth J., 12

Shukla, Anu, 15

Simanauskas, Simas, 28

Slan, Yolanda, 42

Tanner, Lauri, 50

Thorne, Jay, 24

Tokar, Dmitry, 28

Tollefson, Richard, 50

Urias, Lisa, 11

Van Winkle, Kenneth Jr., 59

von Trapp, Françoise, 24

Whalen, Patrick J., 61

Wilde, Trevor, 14

Wilenchik, Dennis I., 62

Worthy, Sarah M., 26

Adler Public Relations, 14

Advisor’s Arizona, 17

Alcock & Associates, 48

Arboleda, 52

Arizona Commerce Authority, 23, 68

Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 25

Arizona Office of Tourism, 7, 11

Arizona State University, 3, 24

Arizona Technology Council, 23

Botco.ai, 15

Burch & Cracchiolo, 57

ConnectPay, 28

Cornerstone Healing Center, 26

Desert Botanical Garden, 12

DoorSpace, 26

eeCPA, 20

Esperança, 48

Experience Scottsdale, 30

Fennemore, 46

Gensler, 47

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, 21

Guidant Law Firm, 58

Holualoa Companies, 67

HonorHealth, 27

IHP Capital Partners, 18

In Revenue Capital, 16

Inclusion Wins, 38

IndiCap, 17

Insperity, 66

Invesco, 17

Jive, 8

JLL, 17, 18, 19

Kiterocket, 5

Launch PM, 17

Lewis Roca, 59

Musical Instrument Museum, 12

Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, 37

Phoenix Philanthropy Group, The, 50

Plaza Companies, 67

Pro Tech Detailing, 45

Prologis, 45

Quarles & Brady, 60

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 12

Sicilian Butcher, The, 14

Snell & Wilmer, 64

Solar United Neighbors, 14

Spencer Fane, 61

SRP, 9, 29 Stearns Bank, 8

Stevens-Leinweber Construction, 17

Sundt Construction, 14

Televerde, 42

Tempe Tourism Office, 30

Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., 54

TouchTunes, 51

Treasure House, 50

UBS Financial Services, Inc., 44

United Healthcare, 2

United Water Restoration Group, 14

Varde Partners, 18

Visit Mesa, 30

Visit Phoenix, 30

Volvo, 51

Wilde Wealth Management Group, 14

Wilenchik & Bartness, 62

Willmeng, 4

Withey Morris, PLC, 63

WorkSmart Systems, 49

WrenchWay, 13

Zadarma, 28

Yordi, Kate, 30 /inbusinessphx

Don Alix is a district manager with Insperity, a leading provider of human resources offering the most comprehensive suite of scalable HR solutions available in the marketplace. insperity.com

JUNE 2023

Balancing Cognitive Diversity in the Workplace

by Don Alix

In the modern workplace, cognitive diversity is highly valued. This refers to the differing styles, viewpoints and skillsets among individuals. Teams that are cognitively diverse can increase innovation, creativity and overall performance within the group. However, there still may be challenges when it comes to communicating effectively, managing conflict and overcoming biases.

When embracing a cognitive diversity, there are a few strategies to consider.

COMMUNICATE

Business leaders who accept various viewpoints and cognitive techniques are better equipped in managing challenges that may arise within their teams. Leaders and managers should voice how important cognitive diversity is to their team and embolden workers to be open with their unique perspectives and strategies. In doing so, managers should work on overcoming their own unconscious biases in order to create a more inclusive environment.

Companies that embrace cognitive diversity in their hiring processes are more likely to welcome candidates who have varying perspectives and ways of problem solving. When companies search for an employee who is talented and innovative, the choice may be the employee who has a different viewpoint from others or is bold enough to challenge company processes. Fostering a culture of inclusivity, openmindedness and innovation all starts with embracing a diverse group of people.

COLLABORATE

Encouraging collaboration is key to harnessing the full potential of any team. When working as a team, diverse cognitive styles can strengthen one another’s weaknesses and compensate for any shortcomings. To get through some of most complex situations in a business, it is imperative that there are different perspectives and viewpoints.

Advocating for open-mindedness, active listening and the sharing of ideas can foster collaboration and resourcefulness. Leaders should work to establish opportunities for collaboration and encourage open communication and feedback to improve outcomes. Recognizing successful

collaborative efforts will motivate team members to continue working together toward common goals.

TRAIN

Cognitive diversity training and development opportunities can help employees understand their own communication styles and the communication styles of others. Leaders who encourage their employees to educate themselves on these issues can help increase empathy and respect among team members.

Organizations should closely examine their training programs to ensure they are inclusive of different perspectives or information processing styles. Because everyone processes information differently, there should be options for those who learn visually or for those who are more hands-on learners. No matter how the training is conducted, employee feedback is important to improve how teams can progress and expand their skills. Requesting feedback is also a good tactic to keep employees engaged overall.

ADDRESS CONFLICTS

With individuals from different backgrounds, conflicts are bound to arise; however, businesses should set clear expectations and policies for performance and conduct. When conflicts happen to come up, it’s important that managers know how to approach them. Managers should be trained on how to defuse conflicts and coordinate constructive discussions among both parties. Also, managers should not shy away from contacting human resources professionals for additional help, if needed.

To manage cognitive diversity successfully, companies must work intentionally to develop a culture that truly celebrates the differences in others. Wise business leaders will lean on their human resources team to ensure strategies and policies for managing a cognitive diverse workplace are inclusive. A company culture that exemplifies a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is one that attracts and retains employees who have mirrored values. When inclusion is expected and the organization takes action to ensure everyone follows suit, the business will reap the benefits of having an innovative and engaging environment.

Cognitive diversity includes work styles, personality styles, the way people prefer to learn and differences in thought between people who have had different lived experiences.

Tap into the strength of not thinking alike

ARIZONA’S MOST INNOVATIVE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FIRMS

Plaza Companies and Holualoa

Companies have been proud to partner on some of the most transformational redevelopment projects in Arizona –including SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center and Park Central.

As two competitive, connected, and skilled real estate firms, our history of working with educational institutions and fostering publicprivate partnerships has taken each of our projects to the next level and we are excited to see the community impacts. For

SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center

We help local businesses find global reach.

Every business strives to grow revenue, diversify their buyer base, and create more jobs. In Arizona, we help make those goals a reality. Through the Arizona State Trade Expansion Program (AZSTEP) and ExporTech, small business owners can collaborate with public and private sector partners to get assistance exporting their products and services around the world. Together, these programs will help you develop global strategies, implement go-to market initiatives, attend international trade shows and access resources to compete on a global scale. Visit our site to accelerate your expansion and grow your business.

azcommerce.com/programs