November 2014 issue of In Business Magazine by InMedia

NOV. 2014

Celebrating Our 4th Anniversary as Top Valley Business Resource

TOP

Stop Talking Tech!

Communication

Is a People Skill Avoid a Messy

Business Divorce

BEST STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Healthcare Coverage:

Tools for Company Growth

THIS ISSUE Tempe Chamber of Commerce Arizona Technolog Council Workforce & Education Special Section

$ 4.9 5 I N B U S I N E S S M AG . CO M

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NOVEMBER 2014

COVER STORY

Top 10 Best Strategies for Business Success

We at In Business Magazine have identified 10 areas of action that are equally critical to the success of a commercial enterprise, and authorities in those fields share with RaeAnne Marsh their expertise. FEATURE

28 SPECIAL SECTIONS TEMPE CHAMBER

AdvAnTAgE Nov. 2014 – Feb. 2O14 • tempechamber.org

2014 State of the City Address with Mayor Mitchell By Mayor Mark Mitchell Since becoming the Mayor of Tempe, I have focused my first two State of the City addresses on the economic and social growth of our community. They were chances to tout our progress, which has been significant after what can only be described as a difficult recovery from a tough economy. In the last year especially, Tempe has seen an amazing amount of development. In fact, in addition to more than 5,300 jobs added since mid-2012, over $700 million of capital investment was infused into Tempe, and 3 million square feet of Class A office space was developed or absorbed. The highlight was the announcement of the Marina Heights project. The City of Tempe and its partners, Arizona State University, Ryan Companies and Sunbelt Holdings, are currently under construction on the largest commercial development in the history of Arizona. This 20acre, 2 million square foot, $600 million capital investment is to be the home of State Farm’s regional headquarters. Marina Heights has been a catalyst for additional development, which includes Arizona State University’s Stadium District, the development of Southbank along the north and east side of Tempe Town Lake, and the Liberty Center at Rio Salado. This one development will stimulate thousands of high-quality jobs, millions of square feet of Class A Office space and hundreds of high-end condominiums. The city has also been working with Liberty Property Trust to develop over 100 acres of city land at Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway. Directly west of Tempe Town Lake, this development has the potential to create 6,500 new jobs and net Tempe nearly $11.9 million. Liberty Property Trust one of the nation’s largest commercial real estate companies and it’s a leading developer of high-performance green

buildings. Specifically, this site will add 1 million square feet of Class A, LEED-certified development to Tempe, and this month, the first of eight buildings at the site will open. And of course, I must mention the new Go Daddy Global Technology Center opening in the ASU Research Park in south Tempe this month. This 150,000 square-foot facility will Mayor Mark Mitchell support more than 1,100 employees, including 200 hired since the construction began, and another 250 expected to be hired in the coming months. These are just some of the recent successes Tempe has experienced economically in the last year, and they are only the beginning for our community. State Farm, Go Daddy, and Liberty Property Trust will all attract quality, high-wage jobs right in our backyard. These added people and jobs mean sales taxes and property taxes, and that pays for the services we provide and the quality of life we maintain. It is the Tempe City Council’s priority is to build a better future for Tempe, and it is clear that we are off to an excellent start.

State of the City is presented by Edward Jones Platinum sponsors: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; Arizona Pipe Trades Local 469 Gold sponsor: CenturyLink; Wentworth Property Company Silver sponsors: Arizona State University Office of Public Affairs; SRP, State Farm Insurance; Tempe Tourism Office Copper sponsors: APS; Cox Communications; Sender Associates, Chtd. Print sponsor: AlphaGraphics at Elliot and Kyrene

T e M p e C h A M b e r A d vA N TA g e

39 Tempe Chamber of

Commerce Partner section

Arizona Technology Report Arizona Technology Council: The Voice of the Technology Industry

In This Issue 2015 Public Policy Guide…Pg. 2 Colombia Connection…Pg. 4 StartupConnect AZ…Pg. 5

Who We Are The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies.

Phoenix Office

2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1920 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: 602-343-8324 Fax: 602-343-8330 info@aztechcouncil.org

Tucson Office

The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park 9040 S. Rita Road, Suite 1150 (near I-10 and Rita Road) Tucson, AZ 85747 Phone: 520-382-3281 Fax: 520-382-3299 tucson@aztechcouncil.org

Management and Staff Steven G. Zylstra

Deborah Zack

President + CEO

Senior Director, Membership Services

Leigh Goldstein Vice President, Operations + Events

Anne Rody Director, Finance + Administration

Nov. 2014 – Feb. 2O15 aztechcouncil.org

President’s Message As a business leader in Arizona, I’m passionate about making sure our state is building a competitive economy that creates jobs. As a parent, I’ve always tried to instill the value of a good education into my children’s core beliefs. It’s always been easy for me to see how the two issues are intrinsically intertwined. The world is rapidly changing, and if Arizona is going to create an environment that attracts the kind of high-skill, high-wage business community that we want, we need to stay focused on providing our children Steven G. Zylstra, with a quality education. President and CEO, Students need to be given Arizona Technology Council the opportunity to develop their talent and capability to compete in a global innovation economy. Today, we fall woefully short of that imperative. Consider these facts complied by Expect More Arizona, a movement for world-class education: • 53 percent of Arizona’s graduates do not qualify to enroll in our state’s public universities (Arizona Board of Regents)

Brian Krupski Director of Membership Services

Melissa Craven Executive Assistant to President + CEO

Don Rodriguez Editor

Ron Schott Executive Emeritus, Phoenix Office

Don Ruedy Executive Emeritus, Tucson Office

Merry Lake Merrell

Alex Rodriguez

Director, Marketing + Communication

Vice President, Southern Arizona Regional Office, Tucson

Executive Emeritus, Tucson Office

Kitty Bogy

Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D.

Director, Talent Solutions TechFetch

Executive Director, Arizona SciTech Festival

Justin Williams

• 59 percent of Arizona students who attend a community college require remediation (Complete College America) • 88 percent of all higher-wage growth occupations in Arizona’s targeted industries will require postsecondary education or extensive work experience (Arizona Commerce Authority) while only 37 percent of Arizona adults have an associate degree or higher (National Center for Higher Education Management Systems Information Center) These sobering statistics are why I stand behind Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards (Common Core) in English language arts and mathematics that teachers in public district and charter schools across the state have been implementing since 2011. It’s also why I support the selection and use of a new test that will replace AIMS, which simply set the bar too low for high school students — at a 10th grade level. New tests aligned with the current standards will assess whether students not only have learned information and facts but whether they can think critically, communicate effectively and apply what they learn. They will also help parents know if their child is on the path to being college and career ready. We’re all parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts, or have a child in our life whom we want to see succeed. Adopting these standards is about their needs. By making sure students learn the type of skills needed to develop the rewarding careers they deserve, a rising tide lifts all the boats. The economic growth and development that their talent and innovation will create and attract to Arizona will benefit us all. Michelangelo had it right when he famously said, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” It’s important that we all take action to support these higher academic standards. Tell your legislators you’re in favor. Go to Graduate Prepared AZ website (graduatepreparedaz.org) and sign its letter of support. If you have doubts or questions, ask your local school administrators. We need everyone’s passion and commitment to make sure Arizona’s students are prepared for success in college, career and life.

ArizONA TechNOlOgy repOrT

aztechcouncil.org

47 Arizona Technology Council Partner section

connect + grow We exist to help science and technology companies of all sizes and stages succeed. By serving as the principal point of connection, the Arizona Technology Council can help you build global partnerships to grow locally, get your innovations noticed and stay ahead of the curve.

Communication Is a People Skill

It’s time to loosen the grip on the smartphone. Geoffrey Tumlin, Ph.D. discusses how to strengthen critical communication skills.

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Guest Editor

Feedback

Noted business and community leaders Steve Lopez, Clark Peterson and Teresa Stickler respond to IBM’s burning business question of the month.

Briefs

“Real Estate Developer Brings Phoenix Franchise Model,” “Marketing Messages,” “Online Education,” “Pay by Phone,” “Job Fairs Mean Hiring Right,” “Bringing Back Uptown Plaza,” “Old Is New Again,” “Net-Zero Energy in Scootsdale,” “Real Estate: Infill Is Booming” and “Dentist On Call”

Whether you’re a part of a start-up, emerging or well-established company in Arizona, we offer resources designed

A Guide to Arizona’s Career Opportunities

for you to gain insight, education, and connections. In addition to our networking opportunities, public policy support and professional development programs, our members receive exclusive discounts on products and services and are provided numerous opportunities to get the word out about

Technology

their unique value. Take a fresh look and watch us grow with you as we continue that will bring you closer to meeting your business goals.

take a fresh look

@aztechcouncil

aztechcouncil

602.343.8324

aztechcouncil.org

2800 n. central avenue • suite 1920 • phoenix, arizona 85004

Profiling: Goodwill of Central Arizona Grand Canyon University Maricopa County Workforce Development Maricopa Community Colleges

55 Workforce &

Education A guide to career opportunities in Arizona, with profiles of learning institutions and trade organizations

“HighTech as Indicator of High Opportunity,” “Accounting Tech Tool,” “TiE Arizona Membership,” “Wearable Tech: Small Is Very Big Data” and “From Warehouse District to Tech Hub”

Healthcare: A Tool to Strengthen Productivity

There’s benefit to both employer and employee — and each has a responsibility in the outcome

Legal

Attorneys discuss “Business Divorce” and how to plan ahead to avoid the pain of breaking up.

Amy Hillman, dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, introduces the “Top 10 Business Strategies” issue.

From the Top

View from the top looks at how Drew Alcazar translated his passion for collector cars into the renowned Russo and Steele collector car auctions.

DEPARTMENTS

Te m p e C h a m b e r. o r g

DEPARTMENTS

By the Numbers

Global leadership forecast report highlights the positive impact of women and Millennials in leadership positions and underscores the need by leadership across the board for more development opportunities.

Books

New releases give fresh insights on business thinking.

Nonprofit

Arizona Leadership Forum draws corporate, nonprofit, philanthropic and government leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the state.

Assets

2015 Ford F150 Plus: All-in-one printers to replace the mailroom

Power Lunch

Cornish Pasty Co. Plus: Where to enjoy hip creations and happening atmosphere

Roundtable

Successful leaders solicit feedback and drop the ‘know it all’ façade. ON THE AGENDA

Spotlight

19th Annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards – Gilbert Chamber of Commerce 18th Annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards Luncheon – W. P. Carey School of Business

Calendar

Business events throughout the Valley

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NOV

Thurs., Nov. 21. Day at the City, Inside Phoenix City Hall.And more events on page 34

Tech Notes is a new column each month spotlighting some key tech info. See page 14.

Because differences matter.

NOVEMBER 2014 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 Rick Murray, CEO Arizona Small Business Association Central Office (602) 306-4000 Southern Arizona (520) 327-0222 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 Dorothy Wolden, President NAWBO Phoenix Metro Chapter (480) 289-5768 www.nawbophx.org Rick Kidder, President & CEO Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce (480) 355-2700 www.scottsdalechamber.com Mary Ann Miller, 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@inbusinessmag.com.

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce www.ahwatukeechamber.com Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chandler Chamber of Commerce

Conquest Training Systems is Giving Away $ 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 in Sales Training to Veterans

100 selected veterans will each receive $10,000 in sales training through Conquest’s “Selling System” that will give veterans opportunities to acquire six-figure sales positions in a variety of industries. The development platform will consist of Training, Coaching, and Real World Experience. Conquest will even assist in placement of a sales position!

Economic Club of Phoenix

Glendale Chamber of Commerce glendaleazchamber.org Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce phoenixblackchamber.com Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce phoenixchamber.com Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce gpglcc.org Mesa Chamber of Commerce

westmarc.org

Applications are now being accepted. For more information please email

3/20/14 9:00 AM

mesachamber.org

North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce northphoenixchamber.com WESTMARC

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chandlerchamber.com

econclubphx.org

Peoria Chamber of Commerce

i n f o @ c onqu e s t t r a i n i ng . c om

azchamber.com azhcc.com

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peoriachamber.com

NOVEMBER 2014

VOL. 5, NO. 11

Publisher Rick McCartney

Editor RaeAnne Marsh

Art Director Benjamin Little

Contributing Writers Barry Banther Mike Hunter Sue Kern-Fleischer Laurel Kimball Alexandra Lyon Geoffrey Tumlin, Ph.D. Contributing Photographer Camron McCartney ADVERTISING

Operations Louise Ferrari Business Development

Louise Ferrari Craig Jeffries Steve Kulick Maria Mabek Sara May Katie Pacioni Kelly Richards Cami Shore

Events Amy Corben More: Visit your one-stop resource for everything business at www.inbusinessmag.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@inbusinessmag.com.

Post Your Local Jobs at inbusinessmag.com Read by those vested in business here, In Business Magazine and inbusinessmag.com have become the resource for business owners and executives in the Valley and beyond. Now, business owners can post their open positions in a place where they are guaranteed to be seen by top candidates.

Visit inbusinessmag.com now to post your open positions!

President & CEO Rick McCartney Editorial Director RaeAnne Marsh Senior Art Director Benjamin Little Financial Manager Donna C. Mitchell, CPA Office Manager Savanah Holmgren Accounting Todd Juhl Corporate Offices 4455 E. Camelback Road Building C, Suite 135 Phoenix, AZ 85018 T: (480) 588-9505 F: (480) 584-3751 info@inmediacompany.com www.inmediacompany.com Vol. 5, No. 11. In Business Magazine is published 12 times per year by InMedia Company. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to InMedia Company, 4455 E. Camelback Road, Building C, Suite 135, Phoenix, AZ 85018. To subscribe to In Business Magazine, please send check or money order for one-year subscription of $24.95 to InMedia Company, 4455 E. Camelback Road, Building C, Suite 135, Phoenix, AZ 85018 or visit inbusinessmag.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 advertisersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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. ÂŠ 2014 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 the publisher.

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AMY HILLMAN, PH.D.

Business Vitals

Dr. Amy Hillman is the Rusty Lyon Chair of Strategy and Dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. She received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Strategic Management and Business and Public Policy. She is a former editor of Academy of Management Review and a former associate editor of Academy of Management Journal. Her research has been published in leading scholarly journals.

Having your own business has long been a part of the American dream, even more so now given the recent employment market. But starting a business and nurturing it to success requires a multitude of skills. To succeed, you’ll benefit from knowing the basics of business — but even business degrees won’t be enough if you don’t have a unique strategy that creates value. You’ll also need a lot of passion, energy and endless workdays. Having a great team will make it better than going alone. As educators of the business leaders of today and tomorrow, we know that whether our students start their own businesses or make their careers in others’, technical skills are essential to success. But the technical skills will change over time, necessitating life-long learning, and in the end, it’s the soft skills like leadership, teamwork, motivating others and being a strong communicator that will make your career. For this issue’s cover story, In Business Magazine breaks down what it takes to build a healthy business into 10 components, all of which are vital to success. Leading professionals share with In Business Magazine editor RaeAnne Marsh insights in their realm of expertise, providing a focused discussion on the “Top 10 Best Strategies for Business Success.” In sidebars that accompany the article, four other of our community’s most notable business leaders share a tip from their experience. A survey of women and Millennials in leadership roles is the basis of this issue’s “By the Numbers” feature, in which Sue Kern-Fleischer looks at the impact of those two populations on a business’s performance. In the “Communicate” article, communication expert Geoffrey Tumlin, Ph.D., addresses the importance of face-to-face communication skills that he sees “getting rusty” as we increasingly rely on electronic devices, and suggests strategies to strengthen them. And the three-part Healthcare series to help business owners prepare themselves and their employees for the upcoming federal open enrollment period concludes with insightful and provocative content in “Healthcare: A Tool to Strengthen Productivity.” This issue also presents “Workforce & Education” — a special section that is a guide to career opportunities in Arizona, with profiles of learning institutions and trade organizations and programs they provide to advance a skilled work force for business. Each issue of In Business Magazine provides content on a wide range of topics aimed at helping strengthen business in our community. I’m pleased to present this November issue and hope you enjoy it. Sincerely,

Amy Hillman, Ph.D. Dean W. P. Carey School of Business Arizona State University

Let us know what you think of our redesign for In Business Magazine. Email our publisher at feedback@inbusinessmag.com.

Not to be missed: Spirit of Enterprise Awards luncheon on Nov. 21. See the article in the calendar section, on page 33.

CONNECT WITH US: Story Ideas/PR: editor@ inbusinessmag.com Business Events/ Connections: businessevents@ inbusinessmag.com

A New Era With four years of publication under our belt, In Business Magazine is proud to share with you our new design and format. The easy-to-use design is meant to continue our original, in-depth content on local business but to include more headlines and links to better inform our reader on the pages and online. We hope you enjoy this new look and ask that you provide us your feedback on the added topics, links and snippets of news that better connect our reader to this local business community.

Check out this issue’s By the Numbers (page 18) on representation of women and Millennials in leadership positions.

Who better to start of our fifth year than Amy Hillman, dean of the W. P. Carey School of Business. We want to thank her and the many business experts she and Arizona State University provide this business community who keep us informed and so knowledgeable about Arizona’s local economy and the economic development opportunities that abound here whether we are trading internationally or are a small, brick-and-mortar retail business. —Rick McCartney, Publisher

Marketing/Exposure: advertise@ inbusinessmag.com Visit us online at www.inbusinessmag.com

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VALLEY LEADERS SOUND OFF owners and executives are often given advice — solicited and unsolicited. What is the Q: Business best advice ever given to you in business, and how have you applied it?

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

For all past Feedbacks go online to inbusinessmag.com and see what Valley executives think on various business topics.

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STEVE LOPEZ

CLARK PETERSON

TERESA STICKLER

Founder and Co-owner Clean Air Cab Sector: Transportation

Chief Executive Officer Telesphere Sector: Telecommunications

Owner Melrose Pharmacy Sector: Retail

I tend to gravitate toward two key exchanges I had as a young man prior to even thinking about running a business. My grandmother told me that everyone likes to know that they belong and have value. Applying this to the employer/employee relationship, management at Clean Air Cab makes sure that we know each and every independent contracted driver by name. And we are the only cab company that treats our cab drivers as our No. 1 customer. One of my most inspiring high school teachers told me that if I were to ever go into business with the sole objective of making money I would surely fail; I must have a passion that is my business. My passion is trying to turn around an old business model and refresh it with new technology, information-rich clients, informed employees and a green landscape.

The best business advice I have been given is: People all want to make a difference; they want to feel successful, and providing a clearly defined path for them to achieve, a unifying “Rally Cry” around the goals, and the milestones key to win and feel “the thrill of victory” is critical. Most people will work harder for their group goal — or a team goal — than for any other motive. The onus is on management to clearly define the company’s Vision, the Rallying Cry, and how it defines Victory, so employees can implement those goals and objectives into everyday practices. We’ve created a culture that supports our unifying objectives and goals. On our walls, we have visuals that include our goals and values. We’ve created a company-wide “Culture Team” comprised of employees from all departments, and they develop programs, activities and all-employee meetings to bring these goals and values to life, giving real-life examples and awarding prizes for the best practices in action. Altogether, this makes the act of achieving and winning a fun and unifying process in which our whole company is involved.

Do not be afraid to get business coaching. I was struggling with keeping up with everything. This was very evident when I couldn’t see the bottom of my desk and the telephone service was shut off because I forgot to pay the bill. I wasn’t delegating and I was trying to do everything myself. I would work from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. That’s when I joined my first business coach group. I had to; I was drowning. I learned that I needed to delegate. I started to delegate and my workload lightened. I started to go home at 6:30 and take off on Sundays. I eventually was able to pay a pharmacist to work the bench, so that I could start to work on my business, not in it. I now belong to four business coaching groups. Utilizing business coaching has transformed myself and my business.

Clean Air Cab, LLC. CleanAirCab.com Steve Lopez is co-owner, with his wife Ginger, of Clean Air Cab, which they founded five years ago. They adhere to the triple bottom line business philosophy of “people, planet, profit” (in that order), which they believe creates crisp, concise decision making and adherence to the company’s brand.

Telesphere telesphere.com Clark Peterson serves as CEO of Telesphere, which is the largest cloud communications company in the U.S. and has numerous prestigious recognitions as being among the fastest-growing companies in Arizona and the country.

Melrose Pharmacy mymelrosepharmacy.com Teresa Stickler is the owner of Melrose Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in Central Phoenix that also offers compounding, natural hormone therapy and medication synchronization and strip packaging. She was Pharmacy Development Service’s Pharmacist of the Year for 2011 and a W. P. Carey School of Business Spirit of Enterprise Award finalist for 2013 and 2014, among other awards. She is currently president of the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association.

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

QUICK AND TO THE POINT

BYTES

Marketing Messages

Real Estate Developer brings Phoenix Franchise Model

Ohio-based Epcon Communities Franchising, Inc. has identified the Phoenix area as an ideal market for its real estate development model. According to a 2014 study Epcon contracted with residential real estate research firm Metrostudy to identify the nation’s hot spots, the Phoenix area is among the top 10 cities with a significant housing gap for the Baby Boomer generation. Epcon’s solution to address this gap is a franchise model that provides individuals the opportunity to build and develop low-maintenance, condominium homes designed to meet the unique lifestyles of today’s 55 and older adults. “Our recent study in partnership with Metrostudy confirms that Phoenix is an ideal city for expanding our franchise model because of the attractive attributes of the region, like recreational opportunities and accessibility to healthcare, that are important to Baby Boomers,” says Phil Fankhauser, Epcon co-founder and CEO. Epcon’s unusual franchise offers franchisee developers the designs, processes and training programs for every aspect of their development. “When Epcon was founded in 1986, we decided to focus exclusively in one development niche … so we’d get better at it and learn from our mistakes,” Fankhauser relates. Creating a franchise was suggested by a fellow businessman telling Fankhauser and his partner Edward Bacome he’d never seen a builder who had so thoroughly documented every single step of the process. An example, offers Fankhauser, is costing information that covers not only what to buy but the exact quantities, “so there’s no pile of waste to have to pay to haul away.” There is allowance, however, for customizing the architecture to local tastes. Because the plans are so detailed, potential franchisees are not required to have construction experience, but they should have the ability to acquire at least five acres of land, a net worth of $1.5 million and the ability to secure minimum project financing of $5 million. Vetting also includes a visit to Epcon’s operations in its home base in Ohio. Franchise marketing manager Rob Krohn says Epcon’s interest in Phoenix started with the report by Metrostudy that, in that five-year estimated future demand for new homes, 24 percent of new home sales will be in the active adult market. “It will be the first time in the nation’s history that the 55+ market would be leading new-home sales,” he says. —RaeAnne Marsh

GLTYR (pronounced “glitter”), which stands for “Give Life To Your Reality,” is a mobile content-creation service for businesses and service providers with extremely limited marketing budgets. GLTYR allows the user to create a multimedia message or a spot commercial integrated with picture, text, audio and video that can be easily shared with a link though a text message, email or on social media platforms. gltyr.com

Online Education Finding an online school that meets the needs of anyone seeking higher education is the service CollegesOnline.com provides. Whether a working adult or a recent high school graduate, individuals can find an online degree program offering the flexibility needed to further their education and help achieve career goals. The person types in the degree and program sought, age and other details to see available and accredited programs. collegesonline.com

Pay by Phone Apple enters the virtual wallet market with Apple Pay, which allows purchases to be paid from the user’s bank account through an iPhone or other mobile device. The transaction can be at the point of sale, through an app or online, and is anonymous in all cases. The user loads payment information into his or her device, but for security it is actually a Device Account Number assigned by Apple that is encrypted and stored. apple.com/apple-pay

Epcon Communities Franchising, Inc. epconcommunities.com

Photo courtesy of Epcon Communiities Franchising, Inc. (top)

VISUALIZE

Job Fairs Mean Hiring Right LocalWork.com is one of the fastest-growing employment websites. Founded in Phoenix, its mission is to support the local economy to lower unemployment. Hosting the Greater Phoenix Job Fairs throughout the year, it builds partnerships with vital Arizona organizations, nonprofits and companies to connect them to those seeking jobs throughout the Metro Phoenix area. The Greater Phoenix Job Fair gives businesses the opportunity to speak directly to those seeking positions in diverse Arizona industries and companies. localwork.com/az/phoenix/job-fairs

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Arizona dropped from 7.1 percent in August to 6.9 percent in September.

A similar drop nationally, 6.1 percent to 5.9 percent, puts the U.S. unemployment rate below 6.0 percent, the lowest in more than six years.

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QUICK AND TO THE POINT

GET REAL

Bringing Back Uptown Plaza Uptown Plaza Associates, LLC, working with Arizona-based commercial real estate development and investment company Vintage Partners, has begun restoration of the iconic shopping center — constructed in 1955; the Valley’s first retail center outside of downtown Phoenix — to its stylish, brick-lined Mid-Century Modern look. The developer also plans to recreate Uptown Plaza’s historic mix of inspired local restaurants and boutiques alongside national brands. vintagevp.com

Real Estate: Infill Is Booming

Watt Communities of Arizona has five real estate projects currently in various stages of development and pre-development in the Greater Phoenix area — and all are infill. Observing that real estate is a cyclical market and even more so on the city’s edges, Steve Pritulsky, the company’s president and CEO, believes urban infill offers the strongest opportunities. “The Metro Phoenix urban area has matured to the point where there’s going to be a sustained trend in urban infill development, compared to what goes on on the edge,” he says. Influencing this is the pockets of employment growth in specific geographic areas, such as the many projects in Downtown Tempe and areas surrounding ASU, and “the huge investment by the University of Arizona and ASU in the Downtown Phoenix biomed campus.” Another factor, Pritulsky says, is “the notion of renewal — leveraging off of existing infrastructure, not having to create new water, sewer, power, streets.” In many cases, Watt Communities of Arizona is building new housing product in areas that hadn’t seen new development for a long time. “There’s a lot of pent-up demand for infill,” Pritulsky says. “People get comfortable with their neighborhood. They’d like to buy something new but not have to move away from their community and their established lifestyle.” And with a city that has gotten so spread out, “They value living in close proximity to urban amenities.” The Enclave at 32nd Street, in north Phoenix near 32nd Street and Cactus Road, and an as-yet unnamed project at 16th Street and Ocotillo Road will feature detached patio homes and are scheduled to break ground next year. Two townhome projects are Dorsey Lane, near Broadway Road and Dorsey Lane in central Tempe, scheduled to break ground this month, and Biltmore Living, in the Camelback Corridor near 24th Street and Camelback Road, scheduled to break ground early next year. The fifth project has not been announced. —RaeAnne Marsh Watt Communities of Arizona wattcommunitiesaz.com

LGE Design Build is renovating the former Jackson’s on 3rd restaurant to serve as West Coast headquarters and training facility for the Scheduling Institute, a medical and dental practice training company based in Alpharetta, Ga. The building will retain the original brick on the exterior and interior, plus a lot of reclaimed wood as well as painted and blackened steel to keep the raw, industrial look of the original building. lgedesignbuild.com

Net-Zero Energy in Scottsdale MODUS Icon has unveiled “MZ,” upscale, energy-efficient townhomes designed to have zero energy bills on an annual basis. The eight-unit, high-end Scottsdale development combines energy efficiency, innovative building material, renewable resources and green technologies. Phoenixbased MODUS Development is nationally recognized for its innovative buildings and award-winning, environmentally friendly designs. mzliving.com

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Dentist On Call

Brian Harris, D.D.S., and Steve Frost, D.D.S., opened OnCall Dental in Glendale this past July as the first urgent-care dental office in Arizona. “I went to a medical urgent care facility on a Saturday night and I walked in and walked out within 15 minutes. I got to thinking, ‘Why is there nothing like this for dentistry?’” says Dr. Harris of his inspiration. “The truth is,” he says, “dentistry is extensive and we have half of the nation’s population who does not see a dentist because it is too expensive or inconvenient. We realized there is a big need for it in the market.” The OnCall Dental facility, open 365 days a year 24/7, is a walk-in office that handles everything from a chipped tooth to a root canal. “The reason why it is called ‘on call’ is because we take calls for other dentists in the Valley,” says Dr. Harris. “On the weekends, when their offices are closed, their phones switch over to us. We see their emergencies and take care of their clients as soon as we can, regardless if it is minor or something serious.” Unique to OnCall, the facility has several dentists on call that can immediately treat walk-in patients. In addition, the facility is well-equipped with the necessary tools for dentists to perform on-site procedures for more serious cases. “We consider ourselves more of a partner with the dental community,” says Dr. Harris, noting the primary purpose of the urgent-care dental office is to provide patients with a higher standard of care by working with local dentists. “However,” he says, “our goal is to make quality care more convenient and affordable. Not everyone can afford dental care or find the time to make an appointment; we can bring a high value of customer service to people who need it the most for half the cost.” Planning to strategically locate all urgent care dental offices within one mile of a freeway and within two miles of a major hospital, Drs. Harris and Frost will be opening two more locations in Tempe and Mesa by the end of 2014. —Alexandra Lyon OnCall Dental oncalldentalurgentcare.com

Hospitals see several dental issues every week but must turn the patients away because they cannot treat them, according to an article in the April 2014 issue of The Journal of American Dental Association.

Photos courtesy of Vintage Partners, LGE Design Build and MODUS Development (far left, top to bottom), OnCall Dental (left)

Old Is New Again

INNOVATIONS FOR BUSINESS

TECH NOTES

High Tech as Indicator of High Opportunity JLL, a real estate services and investment firm, has released the 2014 High-Technology Office Outlook Report, which helps tech companies and other businesses make informed expansion decisions based on indications of high-tech hot spots. For instance, as high-tech companies in one dedicated area increase housing prices, new amenities seem to spring up, adding to the overall success of the area. us.jll.com

Accounting Tech Tool Designed to complement the look and feel of Apple keyboards, the just-released NewerTech numeric keypad features precision-machined aluminum housing, white keys and a bracket that attaches to the Apple keyboard — no tools needed. The design incorporates input from accountants to get every detail of the full-sized, 28-key, numeric keypad just right, including key-throw, feel, design, size and connectivity for maximum number crunching workflow excellence. $54.95 newertech.com

TiE Arizona Membership TiE Arizona educates, transforms, inspires and offers invaluable resources in the form of global and local relationships, educational events and development programs designed for business growth. The organization offers Arizona entrepreneurs access, knowledge and connectivity to its global network of large- and small-business owners, inspiring mentors and influential connections from a wide spectrum of industries. arizona.tie.org

Wearable Tech: Small Is Very Big Data

Force Impact Technologies, an enterprise at ASU’s SkySong supported by the accelerator Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative, entered the expanding field of wearable technology a little over a year ago with its FITGuard mouthpiece. An item of sports equipment, it combines an accelerometer that measures how fast something starts and stops and a gyroscope that measures how fast it spins. The information is stored on the device and transferred via bluetooth to a smartphone. Anthony Gonzales, co-founder with fellow W. P. Carey alum Bob Merriman, says their intent is “to produce hardware that will allow us to collect data” so that the information can be used “to improve the sport, make it safer, or just better understand the level of risk people are exposing themselves to in various situations.” Hoping to expand the company and use the FitGuard technology in knee braces, cleats and other sports equipment, they recently launched a crowdfunding effort. Although he notes they view their company more as “big data” than “wearable tech,” Gonzales says he sees wearable technology as a transitional stage of the technology evolution. “First, we were trying to get computers to be smaller; now, more convenient.” One of the biggest challenges in this field is in being able to rapidly prototype. “In direct correlation with making things smaller, it’s harder to build it by yourself,” Gonzales says. Cost becomes a factor. “You can’t cheaply experiment with different schematics to make sure everything functions. Once things get so small and so complex in such a small area, you have to use professional contract manufacturing.” There are larger enterprise applications involving wearables that are not as self-contained as FITGuard. In this case, the cost issue is turned around. Pointing out that it’s all a part of the Internet of Things, a machine-to-machine technology that is far from new, Courtney Ellis, a product marketing manager for Etherios’s cloud product, says, “The options are increasing because the cost of sending cellular data is dropping.” Solutions provider Etherios recently announced it had created the first ecosystem dedicated to increasing the use of wearables for a client company’s wellness program by enabling individuals to connect any wearable device to the company’s software program. The result is transforming wearable device data — from remote patient monitoring to fitness tracking applications — into actionable information that can, potentially, result in lower overall health insurance premiums for the employees. Ellis also cites advantages of Google Glass in jobs such as field service monitoring, where speedy and convenient access to information can make the job safer. Speaking as a software solutions provider, she notes, “You can connect things that —RaeAnne Marsh never made sense to connect before.” Etherios etherios.com Force Impact Technologies fitguard.me

Putting the most cutting-edge industry in some of the Valley’s oldest buildings — some of the brick structures dating back to the 1800s — Phoenix’s Warehouse District is being viewed as a potential tech hub. Brad Jannenga, CEO of WebPT, says he realized the area’s tremendous potential as his company moved up from 5,000 to 10,000 to 15,000 to its current 30,000 square feet. “The area has amazing buildings with a lot of character, walking distance to Downtown Phoenix, and rents that are incredibly cheap.” Crediting local real estate developers Michael Levine and Cowley Companies CEO Michael Cowley for pioneering efforts to preserve the historic neighborhood, Jannenga is involved in restoring a 123,000-square-foot space that once housed a grocery store. He plans to develop about half of it

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for his company and the other half for a tech co-working space for 100-200 tech companies, and have it ready for tenants by the end of 2015. He’s found the City of Phoenix to be “hugely cooperative.” Its support has included improvements in sidewalks, street lighting and increased street parking. Jannenga, who grew up here, says he moved to California because he believed that was where all the tech jobs were. Since starting WebPT here in 2008, he says he’s found the tech talent is here, in individual islands like Gangplank and SkySong. “It’s not that they weren’t here, but they weren’t —RaeAnne Marsh connected.” WebPT webpt.com

The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation — this year on Nov. 13 at the Phoenix Convention Center — marks an 11-year tradition of honoring technology leaders and innovators from throughout Arizona helping solidify the state’s strength in this sector. See page 35 for more information.

Photo courtesy of Force Impact Technologies

From Warehouse District to Tech Hub

Business Tech Solutions

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CONTACT: call 602 253 6005 or email dan@vermillionphoto.com to schedule a tour. VERMILLION-AD-10-14.indd 1

10/21/14 10:24 AM

YOUR BENEFIT IN BUSINESS

Healthcare: A Tool to Strengthen Productivity There’s benefit to both employer and employee — and each has a responsibility in the outcome by RaeAnne Marsh

INDIVIDUAL MARKETPLACE OPEN ENROLLMENT Nov. 15, 2014 – Feb. 15, 2015

INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES healthcare.gov/ small-businesses

OBAMACARE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE obamacarefacts.com/ obamacare-individualmandate.php

THE SHOP MARKETPLACE healthcare.gov/ what-is-the-shopmarketplace

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Employee benefits are both an attraction and retention tool, helping build loyalty within an employee pool, and healthcare benefits are first and foremost in importance, according to Stephanie Waldrop, a principal with Employee Benefits International. But more and more responsibility for healthcare decisions is being shouldered by the employee. This includes the “skin in the game” concept, which argues an individual will make more carefully considered care decisions if he is at least partially responsible financially for them. It also includes health lifestyle choices, or wellness activities. The correlation between an employee’s physical and mental well-being and productivity at work is not a new concept. What is new is the widespread attention to this area of healthcare since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In fact, EBI makes it clear to its clients that “the federal government is increasing the amount of wellness incentives that we are allowed to offer you” specifically as a reward for healthy choices. Results of a survey of North American employees conducted earlier this year by Corporate Wellness 365™, a division of Spafinder Wellness, Inc., a media and marketing company for the spa and wellness industry, indicate that if businesses want to get workers engaged with, and stick to, new, healthy behaviors, they need to provide them with access to a broader range of fitness/wellness activities that go beyond a traditional gym membership.

The survey found roughly 9 in 10 employees who tried a new fitness/wellness activity felt inspired to not only continue it on a consistent basis (86%) but also try other healthy classes/activities (93%). More than 90 percent returned to the new activity, with 33 percent continuing it regularly. Of those who made it a regular health regime, 85 percent said it made them feel better physically, 72 percent indicated it made them mentally healthier/less stressed, and 38 percent said they were more productive and happier at work.

EMPOWERING EMPLOYEE CHOICE Employees now want to be more empowered about their health insurance coverage, observes Jeff Stelnik, senior vice president of strategy, sales and marketing for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. This has been fueling a trend to a defined contribution by the employer. “The employer gives a fixed amount, and the employee can choose where to sign up — which is similar to the federal exchange,” he explains. Choices include an HMO product with a tighter network, a health savings account (HSA) program that affords full empowerment, and a lower-deductible PPO that allows an employee to buy up to richer program. “This allows the opportunity to make decisions more individualized at the employee level while giving the employer a better line of sight into the company’s financial obligation. The contribution is same across the board, and is therefore more stable and consistent.”

For more on wellness and preventive care, see the In Business Magazine cover story from the April 2014 issue — “How Healthcare Strategies Impact the Employer’s Bottom Line” — online at www.inbusinessmag.com

John Shufeldt, M.D., who serves on the board of managers of Arizona Care Network, notes that benefit design is an important factor for both the employer and the employee. “A lot can be done to help guide patients to the best source of care,” he says, explaining the healthcare coverage can include a higher co-pay for what he terms “perceived convenience” — going to the emergency room when other options exist, such as an appointment at a doctor’s office. If a patient goes to the ER and gets admitted, the co-pay could be lowered; but, he says, “If the person does not get admitted, it’s something that could have been done elsewhere,” and the higher copay would stand. “The patient has a responsibility in the mix, and has to be a willing participant,” Dr. Shufeldt says. He suggests rewarding individuals who are trying to change — not necessarily the ones who are healthy but the ones who are working on their health, he emphasizes. Employers can use biometric screening to identify patients who are at risk, and give incentives to lead healthier lives, such as covering more of the health insurance cost or having a differential co-pay. “Make it easier to get your routine maintenance care, but have a higher cost for going to the ER or out of network.” A focus of Arizona Care Network is keeping the patient healthy rather than seeing him only when he’s ill. Care coordinators work with at-risk patients to help them be healthy in the most efficient way possible. An example Shufeldt shares is a diabetic who is unexpectedly staying where he does not have his insulin. “It’s cheaper to find a way to get the patient the insulin than have the patient come to the ER.”

KNOWLEDGE EMPOWERS GOOD CHOICES Stelnik notes that education is required for consumers to be able to make good decisions, and points out that BCBSAZ provides tools to its customers to facilitate consumer choice. David Berg, D.C., chairman of Redirect Health, has a similar view of the importance of knowledge — or data — but applies it to the company rather than the individual. “Every employer should ask their broker or insurance

company about premiums and pricing,” he says. “Nobody asks for this, but if they did it would dramatically lower their costs.” Employers should ask about their data — who owns it and can they get their own data. If the insurance company has the information — names, medications, surgeries — it can rate its financial risk more safely than if it doesn’t, Dr. Berg explains. In theory, the insurance company could offer the healthcare premium at a lower cost than other companies, he says, explaining the other companies, lacking the data, have to give themselves a financial buffer. But by keeping the data private, “the current company can price itself the same as others — or just under, to get your business.” HIPAA regulations is the defense commonly given for not providing the data, but Dr. Berg says that is a misreading of the law. “The law says you can’t have retribution because of the data.” Data is what controls future prices, and Dr. Berg emphasizes, “Owning your own data give you control over how it’s used.” If the insurance company denies an employer’s request for the data, Dr. Berg says the best leverage is “to leave that insurance company, and maybe create your own system” — which is what Redirect Health does. “All Redirect Health companies own their own data.” Having actionable data — which includes quality and pricing information at the time care is needed — can enable an employer to lower healthcare costs in the future as well as the current year, Dr. Berg emphasizes. “It’s important to have the data in real time, and understand your plan so everyone knows their own responsibility.” Arizona Care Network azcarenetwork.org

SRP Smart Business Series

NATIONAL BANK OF ARIZONA OPENS AN ENERGY-SAVINGS ACCOUNT My name is Dennis Calik. As corporate properties manager of National Bank of Arizona (NB|AZ), it’s my job to make sound investments in energyefficient projects. We worked with SRP to maximize our ROI (return on investment) and received over $82,000 in rebates for installing lighting, occupancy sensors, direct digital controls, window film and a new chiller. The outcome has exceeded our expectations. We save more

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona azblue.com Employee Benefits International

than $74,000 per year on

employeebenefitsint.com

electricity costs. SRP Business

Redirect Health redirecthealth.com Spafinder Wellness, Inc. spafinder.com

Solutions offers rebates for almost any energy-saving project, ranging from lighting updates to new construction.

A Look at Healthcare Benefits For more information,

Healthcare: The Employer’s Role in Employee Choices (Sept. 2014)

visit savewithsrpbiz.com

Healthcare: Networks and Coverage (Oct. 2014)

or call (602) 236-3054.

Healthcare: A Tool to Strengthen Productivity To reference published segments, please access the archived “Healthcare” articles on the In Business Magazine website, www.inbusinessmag.com.

Consumers trust “social media” evaluations (patient reviews) more than those of perceived experts, according to a recent study by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

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METRICS & MEASUREMENTS

Positive Impact: Women and Millennials in Leadership Positions Global leadership forecast report also underscores need by companies for more development opportunities by Sue Kern-Fleischer

Organizations with better financial performance have more women in leadership roles Financial Top Bottom Performance 20% 20% Percent of women leaders Percent of highpotential women leaders

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Leaders Not Prepared for Challenges

37%

19%

Ranking

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Percent of CEOs who consider themselves very prepared

Many CEOs feel their organization does not provide appropriate leadership programs Skill

Percent of CEOs who consider themselves highly effective

Human Capital

27%

Communicating and interacting with others

74%

45%

Building consensus and commitment

67%

26%

Coaching and developing others

63%

33%

Managing and successfully introducing change

62% 61%

3 (tied)

Operational Excellence

ddiworld.com

Customer Relationships Innovation

12%

Development Dimensions International

Leaders Assess Effectiveness in Crucial Skills

CEOs identify their top challenges, and how prepared they are to deal with them Challenge

for using leadership development methods mirrored those of other generations. “Many organizations take a knee-jerk approach to align or realign to this age group when it comes to influencing development focus, retention and engagement,” says Evan Sinar, Ph.D., the study’s co-author, DDI chief scientist and the director of the Center for Analytics and Behavioral Research. “Companies need to focus on the commonalities of all generations first.” One unexpected result for Dr. Sinar and his colleagues relates to how CEOs ranked the importance of human capital as a top challenge. “It ranked higher than global economic factors and sustainability, which was surprising,” Dr. Sinar says. “We also looked at the use of analytics and Big Data, and found that many HR professionals were doing basic, rear-view-mirror analytics when they need to produce more forward-facing and business-centric information about talent,” he explains, adding that C-level managers should challenge HR to step up to that role. “Not all talent programs are created equal and a lot of HR professionals are trying to do too much.” To improve business outcomes, Dr. Sinar suggests bolstering current development programs so that all leaders, including women and Millennials, can improve their skills. “Development opportunities build confidence. Provide opportunities for stretch assignments, ensure formal practices are in place to facilitate those opportunities, and fully commit your support to mentoring programs to develop and prepare new leaders,” he says.

3 (tied)

Corporate Brand and Reputation

41%

Developing strong networks/partnerships

Global Political/Economic Risk

11%

Inspiring others toward a challenging future vision

58%

Government Regulation

25%

Fostering employee creativity and innovation

56%

Sustainability

27%

Leading across generations

54%

Global/International Expansion

17%

Integrating oneself into foreign environments

45%

Trust in Business

43%

Intercultural communication

39%

Leading across countries and cultures

34%

The top obstacles to growth as a leader include not enough time or opportunity, lack of support and autonomy, and lack of skill and knowledge.

Leaders rank developmental assignments and formal workshops, training courses and seminars, and coaching from their managers as the most effective leadership development methods.

Charts Source: Global Leadership Forecast 2014/2015

GENDER DIVERSITY PAYS OFF

Some $50 billion a year is being spent on developing leaders worldwide, but it’s not viewed by company leaders as being effective, according to a report released in July by global talent management consultancy Development Dimensions International and The Conference Board. The 56-page report titled “Global Leadership Forecast (GLF) 2014|2015, Ready-Now Leaders: Meeting Tomorrow’s Business Challenges,” the seventh in-depth report since DDI began this research in 1999, shows that, over the past five years, the percentage of leaders rating their organization’s overall leadership quality as high has increased only from 37 percent to 40 percent. The overwhelming majority of leaders — 63 percent — are also still saying their organization’s development offerings are less than high quality. The study uncovered significant data about company leadership. One finding of this most recent study is, companies with a higher percentage of women in leadership roles perform better financially than those with a low percentage of female leaders. Of the participating organizations, those in the top 20 percent of financial performance have 37 percent of their leaders as women and 12 percent of their leaders as high-potential women, meaning they have been identified as having a more accelerated growth path. The research also connects the percentage of Millennials in leadership roles with overall business success. Aggressive growth companies, such as those in high-tech industries claim a 30-percent higher proportion of Millennials in leadership positions. Surprisingly, however, Millennials’ preferences

MINDING THEIR BUSINESS

Drew Alcazar: Cars in the Spotlight Passion lies behind the Russo and Steele founder’s auction innovation

Photo courtesy of Russo and Steele

by RaeAnne Marsh The move in October to 30,000 square feet of office in Scottsdale underscores the success of CEO Drew Alcazar’s philosophy for the Russo and Steele collector automobile auctions, which was to concentrate on creating a close-knit, emotional environment for collector car enthusiasts. “It was 2001. We weren’t sure if there was enough value to an environment strictly devoted to the auction itself,” Alcazar recalls of the decision by himself and his wife, Josephine, to create Russo and Steele. After having served as general manager of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company from 1996 to 2000, helping build the extravaganza it has become, Alcazar says he decided to focus on a market sector he felt “was not serviced at the emotional level of the car collector.” Although the Russo and Steele collector automobile auction has now become more of an event, the actual auction is still the central focus. Alcazar created a theater-type “suspension of disbelief” environment to enhance an emotional, excited reaction among the bidders. Inspired by the Coliseum of Roman gladiators’ competitions, Alcazar designed the Russo and Steele “auction in the round,” with the car on the auction block at ground level and the seating elevated to give a 360-degree view. The visceral experience, Alcazar explains, is why electronic sites like eBay have not put live collector-car auctions out of business. Scottsdale is Russo & Steele’s flagship auction, lasting four full days and selling about 850 cars. Three smaller auctions fill out the year — the recently added Las Vegas; Newport Beach, Calif.; and Monterrey, Calif., which was part of the calendar from the first. “Going headlong into the fog, we executed an auction in Monterrey the same year [as Scottsdale].” Alcazar admits it was an extreme effort, but explains, “It was critical that Russo and Steele was not seen as ‘Drew and Josephine doing something in their backyard.’” Monterrey was the more world environment, complementing Scottsdale’s domestic focus. “It catapulted us immediately onto the world stage.” Alcazar maintains the same type of environment for all auctions, describing it as being “like a traveling Cirque du

Soleil.” The Newport Beach auction takes place in the Back Bay area overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In Monterrey, Russo and Steele puts up its tents next to Fisherman’s Wharf. In Scottsdale, the auction is held on unimproved state land next to the northern stretch of the Loop 101 freeway. A convention center or hotel, Alcazar explains, would not create the unique environment he has made part of the Russo and Steele brand. Integrity is integral to Alcazar’s business philosophy — “always doing what you’d said you’d do.” This includes “doing everything humanly possible to sell their cars” for the consignment clients, and “running a fork lift with your staff,” all of which has created a loyalty among the client base and staff that was demonstrated when a storm disrupted an auction a few years ago. Appreciation is still evident in his voice even now, nearly five years later, as he says, “It was gratifying to have the clients’ support.” The situation had the potential to be catastrophic but “we took the hits and kept standing, like a Rocky Balboa movie.” And, he says, “We’re stronger as a result.” An important part of the business is building long-term relationships with contractors, sponsors and clients, which is a two-way street. “There’s a learning curve you have to put a new contractor through, and the equity your long-standing contractors have built,” Alcazar says. Not that he takes every item brought to him. Russo and Steele aims for the niche market of $50,000 to $500,000, which Alcazar identifies as the “enthusiast level.” “It’s money you can do emotionally,” he says, contrasting it to million-dollar transactions that involve conversations with estate planners and other advisors. And the auctions are for cars only; specifically, European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and custom cars. “I will turn down cars that do not fit our niche market, and refer them to other auctions.” The company that Drew and Josephine Alcazar started on an eight-foot table in a back room of their house now employs 24 full-time staff, and that grows to hundreds for each event.

DRIVEN BY PASSION In building the company, CEO Drew Alcazar says he and his wife, Josephine, were very conservative in managing finances. “Every asset was bought and paid for. We kept a zero debt ratio.” Among the approximately 3,500 car transactions per year, Alcazar says there may be a couple dozen in seven figures. The highest price as yet was paid for a 1963 Shelby Cobra Factory Competition CSX2028 — the car used on the cover of the record “Hey Little Cobra” by The Rip Chords — which sold for $2.13 million.

Russo and Steele LLC russoandsteele.com

Both parts of the name Russo and Steele derive from a kind of car the auction is built for. “Russo” refers to “Russo Rubino,” the dark red color on vintage Ferraris. “Steele” is a reference to the heavy American muscle cars of the 1960s commonly called “Detroit iron.”

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LAW MATTERS TO BUSINESS

Business Divorce: Plan Ahead to Avoid the Pain of Breaking Up Disputes among business owners can lead to lengthy litigation by Sue Kern-Fleischer

Neal Bookspan of Jaburg Wilk is an equity partner who has been helping individuals and businesses manage their legal risks for more than two decades. His practice includes resolving and litigating all manner of contract-based disputes.

Pouria Paknejad of Smith Paknejad PLC is a trial lawyer and former editor of Attorney at Law Magazine. Ranked this year on MartindaleHubbell as an AV Preeminent Lawyer by a panel of his peers, he earned a seat on the Maricopa County Bar Association Board of Directors in 2013.

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Like a marriage, business partnerships don’t always last forever, and lengthy disputes can be nasty. Knowing one’s ownership rights is important, and many business executives make the mistake of not planning well and educating themselves before the partnership is formed. Pouria Paknejad, a trial attorney and partner with Scottsdale-based Smith Paknejad PLC, sees a wealth of errors in the foundation of businesses and their operations that lead them to disputes, starting with understanding how responsibilities differ in different types of partnerships. “It’s important to understand that the term ‘partnership’ has a different colloquial meaning than its legal meaning and there are different types of partnerships,” he says. Currently in Arizona, no registry for partnerships exists with the secretary of state. In contrast, LLCs are governed by the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Title 29 and corporations are governed by Title 10. Noting that formalities required in governing corporations are immense, Paknejad says LLCs (whose members are called “stakeholders”) can be “fantastically less formal” since the Arizona LLC Act was intentionally drafted by the legislature in the late 1990s to be very broad. Whereas corporations have bylaws, LLCs have operating agreements. Because LLCs have fewer rules and restrictions, many business executives forego drafting a meaningful operating agreement that will help guide them in running their businesses. “It’s a big mistake not to educate yourself early on, because every step you take thereafter could be creating liability for both you and the company,” Paknejad says. Neal Bookspan, an equity partner with Phoenix-based law firm Jaburg Wilk, says some business owners, in an effort to save money, use form documents off of the Internet. “It’s worth an hour of an attorney’s time to get some initial guidance. Otherwise, you may take steps you can’t undo and create more issues going forward,” Bookspan says. He also cautions business owners to pay attention to the provisions in their operating agreement or bylaws. “A lot of people sign it, put it in their drawer and never look at it again,” he says. “But people change over time, and real-life scenarios can be game changers. Owners should review these documents at least annually.” Accounting issues also cause disputes among business owners. Paknejad says undercapitalization is one common mistake business owners make with the formation of LLCs. And often problems arise when one partner starts using LLC funds

for personal expenses. “Many times, I’ve gone after companies that treat the LLC as their alter ego,” he says, adding that he has seen friendships break up over failed businesses. What should business owners do if they suspect a partner of shady dealings? “The devil is in the details,” says Bookspan. “Look at the financial records and bank accounts. Do your due diligence before making an accusation, because once you accuse someone, it’s hard to step back from it. I’ve seen people wrongly accuse others, and it can ruin relationships.” It’s worth noting that just because a business partner may have done something bad or unethical does not mean his or her ownership rights are taken away. “I’ve been involved in cases where people were defrauded, and they may win a money judgment but the person responsible for fraud is still a corporate shareholder or LLC member. It can make for some strange situations,” Bookspan says. Sharing, “In my 22 years of practice, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a company actually dissolved through litigation,” Bookspan says what usually happens is one owner, ultimately, buys out the other owner’s ownership interest. In Maricopa County, litigation for “corporate divorces” can drag out up to two years or more, depending on the judge, calendar and time for discovery. “You can’t control what the other side and their lawyer will do, and that can cause delay and increase the fees and costs,” Bookspan says. Often the bylaws or operating agreement will address how disputes will be resolved, typically through mediation or arbitration. “I think mediation is fantastic,” Bookspan says. “It is the only time where the parties have a role in deciding the outcome. With arbitration and litigation, you don’t know what will happen.” Paknejad says business divorces can be as emotionally taxing as marriage divorces, if not worse because of the large amounts of money involved and feelings of betrayal and anger. “There’s nothing worse than seeing the joy and celebration of a new business venture turn into the acrimony and pain of a business dissolution … especially when those people were previously good friends,” he says, emphasizing the need to consult an attorney early into partnership discussions. “As my partner, Gary Smith, always says, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of lawyer bills.’” Jaburg Wilk jaburgwilk.com Smith Paknejad PLC phxlawfirm.com

Both arbitration and mediation are alternatives to litigation in which a neutral third party seeks to help opposing parties settle disagreements, but the first imposes a binding agreement whereas the latter offers a suggested agreement either party may reject.

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Experts discuss essentials of running a business by RaeAnne Marsh

Among the â&#x20AC;&#x153;top 10 best strategies for business successâ&#x20AC;? a business owner can follow is surrounding oneself with the right people to get the job done. But to do that requires, first, determining what those jobs are. We at In Business Magazine have identified the following 10 areas of action that are equally critical to the success of a commercial enterprise. No ranking of importance is intended; rather, these are presented in the order they may most commonly be encountered.

Give each idea its full focus to fruition

MICHELLE ROBSON Founder, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer EmpowHER First and foremost, it’s necessary to test your hypothesis for what you want your company to be. You may have great ideas, but you need to test them to see your market’s and audience’s response. I’ve learned that you need to be crystal clear about what your vision and mission are. It’s also vital to be able to pivot quickly, because you’re going to pivot 1 million times and you must continue being flexible. Even when you hit something that brings your company success, you still have to pivot. You have to be ruthlessly focused, too. Owners of companies are idea people and come up with ideas constantly. That doesn’t mean I can go to my team and give them every idea I have. I must be focused on one thing and do it well, then move on to the next thing. Michelle Robson founded EmpowHER to help women worldwide advocate for their own health and support each other. Her impetus was her own experience of having suffered severe health and emotional issues following a hysterectomy that turned out to have been unnecessary. the Year, MultiOffice Award.

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PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING

“You need a destination and you need a map to get there.” That is the role of a business plan, explains Bob Wilson, co-principal of Stoney-Wilson Business Consulting, which specializes in helping small and medium-sized companies with their banking needs. Key to the exercise is an honest SWOT analysis — strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Wilson notes that other people will want to see the plan — such as lenders, insurance companies, bonding companies — but emphasizes, “The primary reason you’re writing it is for you; it will be your bible on how to get where you want to be.” A business plan helps the business owner to think through issues and understand problems. It’s the shorter-term plan — 12 months — as compared to the longer-term strategy plan. The shorter term enables greater accuracy in completing the action steps to achieve the key initiatives, Wilson explains. The company’s co-principal Julie Stoney recommends the plan focus on only three to five key initiatives, as each initiative will require several steps. Among the steps for “growing the business,” for instance, may be acquiring a complementary business, developing new product lines and franchising. Knowing the competition is an important component of a business plan. “In order to compete, you must understand what the competition is doing, such as pricing and service levels,” Stoney says. “It will also help you identify if there is something complementary that your business should be doing. You can identify holes in your own organization or in the industry you can address, and satisfy a need.” Also helpful to a business owner is an advisory board. “With an advisory board, the business owner surrounds himself with expertise in a lot of areas, and it becomes his touchstone on a go-forward basis,” Stoney says, noting that many business owners have no one to turn to. “An advisory board also increases accountability to the business plan — what’s been said, what’s been done, new steps.”

FUNDING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Adequate and appropriate funding is an ongoing necessity for a healthy business. “With a growing company, it’s always a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if,’” notes Jerry Mills, founder and CEO of B2B CFO, which provides financial and strategic solutions to small and mid-market companies. In addition to planned growth strategies, he refers to such things as a Department of Labor audit, Environmental Protection Agency regulations and

significant increases on healthcare or liability premiums as he points out, “There’s always some surprise out there that we don’t know will happen.” For this reason, he advises business owners to develop a relationship with their bank before the need for a loan arises. Observing that it’s typical to rush to the bank with an urgent need in an emergency, he says banks “don’t work well in that situation,” and cites the Dodd-Frank Act and other regulations since 2008 that banks must follow and that make lending more difficult for them. Recommending community banks as easier to work with than national ones, Mills suggests seeking a loan or a credit card when the business does not need it, and using it just to develop credit and a personal relationship with the bank. This is a strategy he recently followed for his own company. “My company has no debt, but there are things we will want to do in the future. I asked for a credit card and got one within 20 minutes. We’ll buy things with it and pay the charges when they’re due.” Having established credit with the bank is handy when the business needs money that might be harder to get, such as working capital. “It makes it easier for the banker to say, ‘Yes.’ When he goes to the loan committee, he can say he’s known you for a long time, and you’ve always over-performed.”

BRANDING, MARKETING & IMAGE

Branding and marketing is an essential part of business, says Beau Lane, CEO of full-service strategic marketing agency LaneTerralever. “It’s how the world views you; it’s their emotional connection to what you’re selling.” In today’s always-on and connected world, there are more channels to reach people, but Lane notes the essentials are still in good communication. “Take the time to understand your customer and consider how your customer reacts to what you’re saying.” It’s best to be simple, direct and defined in terms of what is being communicated. In spite of short attention spans, smaller screens and limited time, Lane says, “What’s exciting and challenging in today’s world is, there are more ways to have that interaction with the customer.” Plus, the digital world enables businesses to track results and see customers’ behavior and how they are reacting. But before anything else, Lane emphasizes the importance of strategy as a foundation for any marketing effort. “It’s easy to create marketing materials, but the magic comes if you have strong strategy behind that, that’s focused on objectives you have and targeted to customers you’re trying to attract.” Social media can be a tremendous asset to any business by building a network of followers, friends and supporters it can count on, but, Lane cautions, there must be value provided in the relationship. “It’s

successful if you’re contributing to a dialog or adding value to what you’re offering in the marketplace, but it can be harmful if your content has no value.” And while it can foster and continue a relationship, it is no substitute “for two people looking each other in the eyes,” Lane says. Describing business as a “contact sport,” he says relationships and trust are necessities — and they are best built face to face with people.

SALES TO DRIVE REVENUE

A new technology or “best” of a product or service may be the foundation for establishing a business, but when the market gets competitive or the business hits a plateau, the predictability of cash flow becomes unpredictable. Sales is the side of being in business that provides predictable revenue growth, but sales trainer Mike Toney, founder and CEO of Conquest Training Systems, notes there are three methodologies: transactional, focused only on a quick sale and closing the deal; trusted advisor, working with a customer on a problem the customer recognized; and strategic partner, bringing a solution to a problem the customer had not known he had. Toney shares six important aspects of sales. These are “Society” — knowing who is being targeted and who is the ideal client; “Silo” — identifying the niche(s) the business can dominate; “Solution” — recognizing the problems the business can solve that no other businesses can solve; “Strategy” — developing a plan; “Structure” — accountability, management and compensation of the sales force; and “Systems” — the methodology that the business deploys. A common problem, according to Toney, is having the wrong type of salesperson for the desired role, such as a transactional sales representative in a strategic role. Noting that most salespeople will show up to “sell” themselves to fill the job, Toney observes, “Most owners don’t know how to hire.” It’s important to not have a “softball interview” but to put pressure on the applicants so that they can’t stay in their safe mode. The owner can learn more about the salesperson by seeing where he or she “cracks.” But even before that, the owner must be able to articulate exactly why his company exists; for instance, whether its strategic purpose is the solve a problem or to move product.

MANAGING PEOPLE, PROCESS & BENEFITS

What makes a business successful, says Stephanie Waldrop, principal of Employee Benefits International, “has a lot to do with its ability to attract and retain quality employees who will be the face of the business.” A

benefits program as part of a company’s compensation package is a tool to build loyalty within an employee pool. “It shows how much an employer cares about them. And employers who care get employees who care.” A lot of attention has been focused lately on healthcare, as discussed in the three-part healthcare series that concludes in this issue. But specific benefits aside, Waldrop states, “The No. 1 thing employees want in a benefits program is stability.” It’s important for employers to have a strategy to create that stability, from managing cost to creating a three- to five-year plan of what they want the program to look like. “This allows them to avoid a knee-jerk reaction, such as slicing benefits to offset a renewal increase.” An employer can achieve a win-win by surveying the employees as to what’s most meaningful to them — but limit the choices to items the employer has already determined are within his budget and he’s willing to act on. Also, there are benefits an employer can offer at no cost to the business, sponsoring them but making them available on a voluntary basis. Items such as life insurance and income protection may be available only in an employer setting, or be richer than what is available outside of that setting, Waldrop explains. “[Providers} assume higher participation rates because it’s a group setting and done through a payroll deduction.” There are other elements of company culture not tied to benefits, Waldrop points out. Among them is arming employees with training so they’re empowered in the position they’re charged with. “Employees feel better about what they do if they’re properly trained and empowered in that role.” Another plus is making employees feel a part of the company’s success, such as offering profit sharing or bonuses based on hitting the company’s revenue and retention goals. These can be structured to fit within the employer’s budget and proportionate to the individual’s pay level. Says Waldrop, “The motivation to find the ‘yes’ answers and ‘can-do’ responses for clients will make all the difference in the long run.”

OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTING

“Accounting is important when you’re starting a business. You’ve got to know what you’re getting yourself into, and numbers can help you figure out if it will be overwhelming, if you can handle it, if you need help,” says Chuck McLane, lead managing director at accounting firm CBIZ. Focusing on addressing the tax side of accounting, CBIZ managing director Zandra O’Keefe shares, “Financial statements show the health of the business. They are the basis of tax planning and tax prep.” Planning encompasses building wealth, paying taxes, providing

Create enthusiasm and watch it spread

BOB PARSONS Chairman, YAM Holdings Founder, GoDaddy “Give the people what they want!” This goes for employees as well as customers. Excellent employees are retained by good compensation packages, working conditions and fun perks like parties, contests and other events as often as you can. This creates enthusiasm, which is contagious and creates excitement amongst your customers. Customers’ requests should always be answered with, “Yes!” Remove the word “no” from company vocabulary. In its place, provide alternatives with an “I can do this for you” response. Bob Parsons, the visionary founder of GoDaddy, started in business with Parsons Technology, a software company he started in his basement after teaching himself how to write computer programs and later sold to Intuit, Inc. for $64 million. His current focus is supporting charitable organizations through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundations he co-founded with his wife in 2012.

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Steer through the industry’s peaks and valleys

HOWARD LEIN Owner RE/MAX Excalibur Realty As an owner of a company that is in an industry with a history of “radical peaks and valleys,” I’ve conditioned myself to live well below my means, particularly during the great markets. Because of that, I’ve never had to “tighten my belt” when the markets and margins shift. Modest lifestyles allow for capital growth that can be deployed in the form of cash when the right deal comes about. The ultimate goal has been to work because I like to ... not because I have to. Howard Lein is the owner of RE/MAX Excalibur Realty, the largest RE/MAX franchise in Arizona. His commitment and industry expertise over more than two decades have earned him multiple industry recognitions, among which are RE/MAX International’s Broker/Owner of the Year, Multi-Office Award.

benefits to employees, and compliance measures — and compliance, she notes, is an area that is always evolving, which is why she emphasizes the importance of having competent people in-house to help the business stay on top of compliance measures as well as to be able to “follow the cash.” “Make sure you understand the ins and outs of cash and the timing of that. That’s crucial,” says McLane. Creating a model of the cash flow enables a business to get a better sense of the timing of inflows and outflows, so that when money comes in, the business owner does not distribute too much too early and then not have enough when debt repayment comes due or for deductions for fixed income, or payroll or sales tax, or other obligations. In a nutshell, “Income does not mean cash, and vice versa,” O’Keefe says. Dealing with customer debt is another issue. How risky is the client? Should the business collect a retainer up-front? “It’s important to understand the norms of the industry,” McLane says, noting this, too, will help the businessperson understand the broader picture of what the business’s cash requirements will be over time. There are also a few specific tips O’Keefe and McLane feel are important to share. “Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) instead of using a Social Security Number, because of the threat of identity theft. When you give 1099s to vendors at the end of the year, use your EIN and business name,” O’Keefe says. “Keep your business account separate from your personal account. A lot of small businesses start with the personal credit of the owner to give the starting point. But it’s important to have the discipline to separate the two, to keep track of the flow of funds — even if you have to do a transfer of funds from personal to business,” McLane says. “Talk with an attorney about the business structure that would be best, when you choose your type of business entity. There are compliance issues around fringe benefits and tax level. For instance, in a partnership, the partners do not get a W2, and they can’t participate in an employee cafeteria plan — in fact, if they do, it would become taxable for all the employees. Entity selection is critical,” O’Keefe says. “For financial reporting, establish good policies and procedures from the beginning. Have consistent policies and procedures in place, so that as you add people to the organization, you will continue to record transactions in the same consistent manner,” McLane says.

RETAINING CUSTOMERS, MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION

Customer service is the differentiator, says Tyler Wirtjes, GoDaddy vice president of customer care. “Whatever you build today, in 60 days 30 companies can copy that product. But they can’t duplicate the people —

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the interaction with your customers that you put in place to have that contact with your customer.” The No. 1 focus should be trying to build a relationship, not just complete a transaction, he says, adding, “I think that’s sometimes forgotten.” This may mean going a step beyond whatever prompted the initial contact. Using his company as the example, he says that, in solving a customer’s issue, the service consultants ask the customer what he’s trying to accomplish with his business, so as to understand how he’s relying on GoDaddy. “Find out why they’re using you,” he says. “Help them find whatever success you can in using your product or service. That’s when they get emotionally attached to your company.” This is important in proactive contact as well as in reactionary response to complaints. Wirtjes acknowledges that technology enables many functions to be automated, such as virtual assistants programmed to handle FAQs. “Artificial intelligence has come a long way over the last 10 years.” But what sets a business apart is delivering a personalized experience. For this reason, even a real person may not accomplish that relationship-building if the “conversations” are too rigidly scripted. “No one wants to call up and talk to a robot that’s actually a human but you think it’s a robot,” Wirtjes says. Thanks to social media, complaints and issues today travel fast. Ignoring them can hurt a business’s brand, but dealing with them can, potentially, promote it. Explains Wirtjes, “If you take care of them in the public forum, you can gain followers to your brand or service or product because of the way you engage with customers and the way you solve their problem.”

TECHNOLOGY THAT MATTERS

“Technology is important for its ability to help all businesses scale — to provide repeatable and consistent results with what they do for their customers,” says Clint Harder, chief technology officer and senior VP of product strategy at OneNeck IT Solutions. He also points to the advantage technology brings by enabling business owners and executives to connect directly with [all the people they do business with] — customers, partners, vendors.” Cloud outsourcing has become appropriate for businesses of all sizes, Harder observes, explaining that instead of a business consuming technology with its own capital and bringing it into its physical location, the cost is an operating expense remotely delivered. Under the broad umbrella of “technology” are items developed for specific types of businesses or industries, and the smaller companies that do not have a department dedicated to researching and updating advances that could be useful to them “get that type of advisory and forward-looking education from vendors they partner

with for their IT,” Harder says. Professional services organizations, whose inventory is people and time, require a program to help manage labor costs and billing rates as well as needs around document management. Retail focuses more on business processes — inventory of merchandise, manufacturing cost, delivery systems to get goods to locations. And getting detail-specific within industry-specific, Harder notes that dealing with certain types of oil wells requires specific engineering technology software and hardware. “Technology” also encompasses the type of service OneNeck provides — helping run all the other technologies that support specific applications. The point is to protect and monetize the data. Says Harder, “Everything else can be bought in a commoditized component basis as an operating service, such as data co-location or cloud computing.” Noting that core company information technology becomes purely obsolete in five years, and has degraded capability — although is still functional — in just two to three years, Harder says, “Using the cloud puts the obsolescence risk on the provider rather than on yourself.”

PERSONAL DECISIONS, ACTIONS & ENERGY

People who are successful are generally never satisfied with the status quo; they need to keep creating. But Patricia Noel Drain — speaker, author and business mentor — counsels, “Make sure you’re satisfying your needs when you’re leading the company. Forgetting about yourself and only taking care of others is not being a good leader.” She recommends, in fact, “Put yourself on your calendar.” And when pushing out of the comfort zone, the most important thing is to “stay true to you. Consider, ‘Does this feel good to me?’ If not, you’re going down the wrong path.” To grow their business, she’s found that people have to be happy in it. The oft-quoted advice is “Work on your business, not in it.” Creating systems for all aspects of the business operation enables the business owner to delegate responsibility, and Drain notes that creating systems is what creates the value in the company. “Determine where you build the systems based on your own passion. This elevates you to still be the visionary for the company.” Of course, recruiting, motivating and retaining great employees is important. Drain underscores a difference between great and mediocre as she articulates, “Make sure you have systems in place to retain your really great employees.” And with the systems in place and great employees on board, Drain says, “If you want to take the business to the next level, you have to get out of your own way.”

MENTORING & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Visibility and connections enhance the growth potential of a business. Community involvement provides opportunity for a businessperson to benefit in both areas in addition to helping make a positive impact on the community he or she is part of. Christy Moore describes it as the “power of having deep relationships and connections with other community leaders, so they can leverage that connection to help with whatever they’re trying to achieve.” Moore, executive director of Valley Leadership, notes that mentoring is key as it brings together emerging and seasoned leaders. “It allows the mentor to leave a legacy behind and have a significant impact on an individual, and the mentee gains wisdom and insight from a seasoned professional.” The purpose of Valley Leadership’s program is to educate people about community issues; it is not a formal mentoring group. But mentoring and connections are a key focus and a significant reason to get involved. “We bring together diverse groups of individuals who may not otherwise meet or interact,” Moore says. Participants gain a better understanding of varied community and business sectors and different — even opposing — perspectives. Furthermore, project groups within each leadership class — who work together to accomplish a sustainable community project that fulfills an identified need — are purposely composed to comprise what the field of energetics calls a “full brain,” combining people whose strength is in social thinking, conceptual thinking, analytical thinking and structured thinking. Working on their community project helps participants develop self-awareness — “one of the most-cited leadership skills,” Moore says — which helps them become even stronger leaders. “As you build your network, you’re enhancing your connections, which you can leverage to achieve more for the community and yourself,” she says. B2B CFO b2bcfo.com CBIZ, Inc. cbiz.com Conquest Training Systems, Inc. conquest-systems.com Employee Benefits International employeebenefitsint.com GoDaddy godaddy.com LaneTerralever laneterralever.com OneNeck IT Solutions oneneck.com Patricia Drain & Associates, LLC patriciadrain.com Stoney-Wilson Business Consulting, LLC stoneywilson.com Valley Leadership valleyleadership.org

You’re not in business to make a profit

DON SMITH President and Chief Executive Officer CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Co. When I have occasion to visit with my employees, especially managers, I ask, “What is our primary purpose for being in business?” Most people are programmed to answer, “To make a profit.” But I always tell them, “You’re absolutely wrong. You’re in business to produce a product or a service that people need, and do it better than anybody else.” It’s really broken down into those two things. First, it’s got to be a product or service that people need. There are great examples of irrelevance that very successful companies have ended up in because they didn’t pay attention to that important aspect. A good example is Kodak: They invented the digital camera, but didn’t see it as necessary to keep themselves relevant in the photography business. And now they’re barely surviving. And the second half is, you have to do it better than anybody else. If you do those two things, the byproduct of that is making a profit. I think that’s the golden rule of running a business. Don Smith, CEO of what is now CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Co., has nearly 15 years with Arizona’s workers’ compensation insurance company and led the former SCF Arizona through its transition from a state fund to a private company.

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LOUDER THAN WORDS

Communication Is a People Skill Our people skills are getting flabby. It’s time to loosen the grip on the smartphone and strengthen the communication skills that are essential for productive and meaningful relationships. by Geoffrey Tumlin, Ph.D.

Geoffrey Tumlin (www.tumlin.com) is the CEO of Mouthpeace Consulting LLC, an organizational development company; the founder and board chair of Critical Skills Nonprofit, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing communication and leadership skills training to chronically underserved populations; and is the author of Stop Talking, Start Communicating: Counterintuitive Secrets to Success in Business and in Life. He currently serves as trustee of the National Communication Association’s Mark L. Knapp Award Individual Endowment, the most prestigious interpersonal communication honor bestowed annually by the National Communication Association in recognition of career contributions to the academic study of interpersonal communication.

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In the always-on digital age, we’re all guilty of indulging in communication shortcuts. These shortcuts save time, but they are costing us something valuable: Our overwhelming preference for quick and easy communication is causing our more difficult communication skills to erode from lack of use. It’s easy to email a client, but far more difficult to persuade the same person in real-time that our product is best. Telling squabbling colleagues to “grow up” might make us feel better momentarily, but helping them resolve their conflict might improve their relationship forever. To keep our more difficult, but essential, communication skills limber in an environment where quick and easy communication is the norm, it’s essential to regularly exercise our higher-order communication skills. The kinds of productive and meaningful relationships we want can’t be sustained by emails and texts alone. When we reach for our more difficult higher-order communication skills, we need them to be up to the challenge. Here are seven ways to strengthen our vital higher-order communication skills. Offer praise. Praising sounds easy, but it’s harder than it looks because we do it infrequently and because it often creates an awkward moment. A common disconnect in organizations is that supervisors think they give plenty of praise, but subordinates feel like they never get enough. Remedy that by looking for opportunities to provide workrelated compliments. Delivering praise in real time (that is, face-to-face or by phone) is a higher-order communication exercise because it forces us to push through the awkward moment that often accompanies a compliment for a job well done. And persevering past awkward conversational moments without abandoning an interaction helps inoculate us against giving up too easily. Give negative feedback. We may praise infrequently, but our record for providing negative feedback is much worse.

Most feedback never gets communicated for a simple reason: We don’t like giving it, and the other person doesn’t like receiving it. And people who claim they like giving negative feedback aren’t giving feedback at all — they’re criticizing. Unfortunately, there’s one small problem with criticism: It never works! The failure to give negative feedback is a major opportunity lost. An enormous amount of organizational learning never happens because it’s easier to sit on important feedback than to give it. Giving timely and relevant negative feedback is a true test of our higher-order communication skills because it forces us to do something we’d rather not do, and it forces us to continue past the resistance to our message. Persuade. Trying to land a client? Negotiating a deadline with a colleague? See how well you do in a real-time conversation instead of hunkering down to write an email. Sending a computer-mediated message doesn’t test one’s ability to think on one’s feet and adapt a persuasive message in real time. No matter how good one is at organizing a persuasive email, some of the important influence attempts will happen face to face. Instead of being caught flatfooted — especially when the stakes are high — we need to exercise our real-time persuasion skills with enough frequency to stay quick on our feet. Argue. Few skills have suffered more in the digital age than our ability to argue intelligently. Online comments are filled with ad hominem attacks, invective and worse; accusatory emails fly back and forth between otherwise rational people; and it often seems like all we are doing online is arguing right past each other. We need to make a concerted effort to shed the counterproductive arguing habits we’ve picked up in the digital age and revitalize our ability to thoughtfully and effectively make our points. Arguing is an essential communication skill. Knowing how to express ourselves when we disagree is what prevents small issues from becoming large problems. Arguing — sensibly,

For more validation on the risks of electronic communication, visit damnyouautocorrect.com.

BUSINESS THINKING smartly and effectively — is a higher-order communication skill we can’t afford to lose. It’s never been easy to keep emotions from seizing control of arguments. But without practice, we won’t stand a chance, and our most important relationships will suffer the damage. Offer support. Sometimes, posting a condolence note on Facebook or sending a supportive email to a struggling colleague just isn’t enough. When the chips are down for people we care about, we need communication skills that can step up and provide real comfort. Face-to-face messages of support are just plain powerful, but they often don’t get delivered because we convince ourselves that we don’t know what to say. But that’s a mistake. A good rule of thumb when providing support is, the less certain you are about what to say, the simpler your message should be. Tell a colleague who’s just received a career setback that you believe in her. Tell your grieving boss that she’s in your thoughts. Tell your upset friend that you’re there for her. That’s enough to show that you care and to make a connection. And if your support happens to cause an outpouring of emotion, perfect words still aren’t necessary. When comforting, you never have to worry about finding just the right words. Your expression of support and your presence are what really matter. Resolve a conflict. What happens when no one at work knows how to effectively defuse a conflict between feuding colleagues? Or when there’s no one around who can deescalate a squabble at home? Offices and homes without an effective peacemaker are minefields of anxiety, grief and drama. Conflict resolution is a challenging communication skill. Encouraging people to climb down from entrenched positions and set aside differences requires diplomacy and precision. But it’s the peacemakers who get people talking again and who prevent relational damage from taking a wider toll. Don’t say something. For a major communication challenge, try not talking when you really want to. Why is that so hard? The clearest signal you shouldn’t say something is usually an overwhelming feeling that you should. But it’s the ability to choke back impulsive and harmful words that distinguishes great communicators from everybody else. Some of our most significant communication “victories” actually happen when we don’t say a thing. The criticism we let die on the vine, the smart question we don’t ask, the comeback we choke back, and the insult on the tip of our tongue that stays there are unsung communication heroes, silently protecting our most important relationships. Some of the best evidence our higher-order communication skills are strengthening will come from all the things — the fights, the damage and the relational turmoil — that never happen. Nothing seems more antithetical to the digital age’s “express yourself” ethos than sitting on your words, but not saying something is a skill that’s never been more important in our hypercommunicating era. Not all of our communication can happen effectively along lowerorder channels. Sometimes we need to do difficult things with our communication, like resolve a simmering conflict, persuade a reluctant client or lend support to a struggling friend. Even though it takes longer and is more difficult, walk over and talk to a co-worker instead of sending an instant message. Call a friend who’s mourning the loss of a parent instead of posting your condolences online. And fire up the car and go visit your client instead of just sending another email. The kinds of deep, productive and meaningful relationships we want can’t survive on quick and easy communication alone.

The U.S. and Canada tie for 13th worldwide in percent of the population owning and using a smartphone (56.4%), according to Google’s Our Mobile Planet 2013 rankings.

Critical Knowledge Transfer When highly skilled subject matter experts, engineers and managers leave their organizations, they take with them years of hard-earned, experience-based knowledge — much of it undocumented and irreplaceable. Organizations can thereby lose a good part of their competitive advantage. The tsunami of “Boomer” retirements has created the most visible, urgent need to transfer such knowledge to the next generation. But there is also an ongoing torrent of acquisitions, layoffs and successions — not to mention commonplace promotions and transfers — all of which involve the loss of essential expertise. This book is a comprehensive approach to practical, proven techniques that will help transfer those deep smarts before it’s too late. Title: Critical Knowledge Transfer: Tookls for Managing Your Company’s Deep Smarts Authors: Dorothy Leonard, Walter C. Swap and Gavin Barton

Price: $32

Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

Pages: 240

Available: 11/25/2014

Think Agile Funding falls apart. A similar product is unveiled by a more established company. A key employee jumps ship to work for a competitor. These are the unexpected obstacles that derail even the most promising new ventures. Entrepreneurs determined to keep up with today’s constantly changing business environment need to stay nimble enough to shift their strategies, products and services on a dime. Yet many fail to master this essential new mindset: agility. Featuring real-life case studies and invaluable tools, Think Agile helps entrepreneurs assess their level of flexibility — and learn to be open-minded and option-oriented in key areas. Title: Think Agile: How Smart Entrepreneurs Adapt in Order to Succeed Author: Taffy Williams Publisher: AMACOM

Price: $23 Available: 11/19/2014

Pages: 224

Succession Tichy draws on decades of hands-on experience working with CEOs and boards to provide a framework for building a smart, effective transition pipeline, whether for a multibillion-dollar conglomerate, a family business, a small startup or a nonprofit. Through revealing case studies like Hewlett Packard, IBM, Yahoo, P&G, Intel and J.C. Penney, he examines why some companies fail and others succeed in training and sustaining the next generation of senior leaders. He highlights the common mistakes that can generate embarrassing headlines and may even call an organization’s survival into question, and reveals the best practices of those who got it right. Title: Succession: Mastering the Make-or-Break Process of Leadership Transition Author: Noel M. Tichy Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover

Price: $21.95 Available: 11/13/2014

Pages: 448

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INVESTING IN COMMUNITY

Leading and Elevating Arizona

Arizona Leadership Forum draws corporate, nonprofit, philanthropic and government leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the state by Laurel Kimball

Dec. 2 – Giving Tuesday A Global Day to Give Back Black Friday. Cyber Monday. They’re now a part of America’s commercial lexicon, kicked off by the Thanksgiving holiday. One day to give thanks. Two days for deals. Giving Tuesday asks the global giving community — individuals, companies and organizations — to commit to a philanthropic project at the start of the holiday season, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday. givingtuesday.org

Laurel Kimball is founding principal with The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, an Arizona-based international consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations as well as institutional and individual philanthropists.

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On Sept. 19, more than 600 of the state’s most influential leaders — nonprofit executive directors and board presidents, corporate CEOs and elected officials — convened at the Phoenix Convention Center to learn about some of Arizona’s recent successful public-private partnerships and discuss the critical role of leadership in the state’s future. The third Arizona Leadership Forum, “Elevating Arizona: Transformational Leadership and Its Impact,” encouraged participants to commit to advancing the state’s goals using The Arizona We Want Citizens’ Agenda as a guide. Originating from the Center for the Future of Arizona, the Agenda was developed by The Arizona We Want Institute, which, through a Gallup poll, identified eight citizens’ goals for the future of the state and organized them into three categories: caring for the economy, caring for people, caring for communities. “Caring for the economy” goals: (1) Create quality jobs for all Arizonans and (2) prepare Arizonans of all ages for the 21stcentury work force. “Caring for people” goals: (3) Make Arizona “the place to be”

for talented young people and (4) provide health insurance for all, with payment assistance for those who need it. “Caring for communities” goals: (5) Protect Arizona’s natural environment, water supplies and open spaces; (6) build a modern, effective transportation system and infrastructure; (7) empower citizens and increase civic engagement; and (8) foster citizen well-being and sense of connection to one another. The Forum revealed just how much state leaders in all sectors have taken those goals to heart since the Agenda was defined. A host of local and national collaborations have resulted in job creation, greater workplace preparation for graduates and environmental achievements — to name a few. Take, for instance, ASU, which created an innovative tuitionreimbursement partnership with global giant Starbucks. “These people are innovators,” said Starbucks Vice President of Strategy Dervala Hanley at the Forum, referring to ASU’s pioneering leadership. “And we really wanted to work with them. This is an organization that’s not scared to venture into the unknown. ASU is educating everyone, not just the world’s elite.”

Seth Godin on … … Transformational Leadership How does one empower ordinary people to lead and make big change? According to Seth Godin, keynote speaker and author of Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, it’s all about connections. Real ones. He says it’s about finding a group who will join with you and follow with you — finding your tribe, “the people who miss each other when they’re not in the room.” Tribal leaders don’t tell the members of their group what to do; they set the pace and rhythm of the tribe, encouraging synchronicity. The tribe, he says, shares a similar passion. “It’s when we connect that we create

value.” That’s when things start to happen. Organizations, nonprofits and government entities, says Godin, should “create for the people who care about what you’re doing.” To generate transformational change in Arizona, Godin believes leaders must create a norm and embody that norm: People like us do things like this. Individuals and organizations can connect to like-minded people and lead by: • Coordinating their actions, • Trusting others, • Gaining permission to talk to those who want to hear their messages, and • Exchanging ideas.

… Innovation Godin stresses the importance of innovating, even if individuals and entities think they’re not ready. “Many will say, ‘It’s too soon for me to launch my innovation!’” Yet Gutenberg launched the printing press when 96 percent of people were illiterate; and when AOL and CompuServ launched, the Internet was very sluggish. “Someone here is going to change Arizona,” Godin told the assembled leaders, “and that important work always shifts before it’s ready.”

The Arizona Leadership Forum and Initiative is supported by founding presenting sponsors The Phoenix Philanthropy Group (phoenixphilanthropy.com), Freeport-McMoRan Foundation (freeportinmycommunity.com) and National Bank of Arizona (nbarizona.com), along with many of the state’s leading corporate and civic organizations.

Greg Stanton, Jonathan Rothschild and Brahm Resnik (l to r) Photo courtesy of Arizona Leadership Forum

Up Next Month: “Why People Give”

We’re 75! And we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to share our birthday with you, who made this milestone possible. Check out azblue.com/birthday to share in the memories. Each month we will highlight the accomplishments of our tremendous partners, members and communities we serve.

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In the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, full tuition reimbursement will be awarded to Starbucks student-employees nationwide who are enrolled in ASU Online Another leadership highlight at the Forum came from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). The statewide bioscience initiative began in 2002 with more than 50 individual and organizational partners and has successfully established Arizona as a player in the rapidly emerging biotechnology industry. TGen’s success is a direct result of the commitment of its many leaders. “Publicprivate investment has to be developed and encouraged,” said Martin Shultz, chair of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee. “With that investment, we’re going to be as successful in the next 20 years as we have been in the last 20 years.” Kimber Lanning, founder and executive director of Local First Arizona, encouraged Arizonans to celebrate the state’s successes. “We’re doing amazing things in Arizona, and we need to tell the world.” She highlighted eMoney Pool, a startup that grew from Phoenix-based incubator Seed Spot. The online and Smartphone-based savings program allows the pooling of money within groups of individuals lacking proven credit history or who don’t qualify for traditional loans. Lanning also urged attendees to keep young leaders in the state by including them in discussions and incorporating their desire for vibrant city centers into planning decisions. “It’s an asset to be an Arizonan because we value hard work and openness,” added Paul Luna, president and CEO of the Helios Education Foundation. Of the state’s cutting-edge collaborations, he said, “If you get involved, it shouldn’t matter who gets the credit. Do the right thing for the community — things that have a long-term, lasting legacy.” This attitude, says Steve Seleznow, president and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation, is what will continue to propel Arizona and its leaders toward greatness. “As leaders, it is our job to confront hard questions and brutal facts, to take action for improvement and to seek greatness.”

D10745 02/14

INDOOR KART RACING

ARRIVE & DRIVE . ADULTS AND JUNIORS 48” AND UP

HELP CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM What can Arizona nonprofits, corporations and individuals do to continue this forward momentum for Arizona? Become an AZ Advocate through The Arizona We Want Initiative. Simply sign up online and agree to support one of the eight citizen goals (above) and to promote it among constituents. thearizonawewant.org/ azadvocates/

CORPORATE EVENTS

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NOVEMBER 2014

On the Agenda

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce

19th Annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards

Photo of 2013 Spirit of Enterprise Awards courtesy of W. P. Carey School of Business

Fri., Nov. 14 — 6:00p – 9:00p The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and attendees will be celebrating the 19th Annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards, sponsored by APS, November 14 at the Doubletree by Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert. The event will honor members of the community who have played an active role in areas of business, education and community involvement. “The foundation of our ‘Community of Excellence’ is made up of our top-rated school districts, innovative businesses and lean municipal governments,” says Gilbert Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kathy Tilque. “As Mayor John Lewis reminds us today, ‘What we do, we do together’ — and that was true 19 years ago as well. So at that time the Chamber met with our partners and designed this annual recognition event to celebrate those who go above and beyond to serve our community.” In partnership with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, the Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Gilbert Public Schools, the Gilbert Republic, Higley Unified School District and the Town of Gilbert will be choosing award recipients in 17 categories to honor and celebrate during the event. “We believe having strong relationships with our education partners is extremely important,” says Tilque. “The business model is changing so rapidly, and the business community needs to be an active partner in assisting the education community to best understand those models and how to incorporate workforce skills needed into their curriculum.” The Gilbert Community Excellence Awards, according to Tilque, are designed to strengthen the bond between local businesses and school districts by recognizing and awarding those who have contributed to the community. In addition to the award ceremony, attendees will be able to experience the “Taste of Gilbert” as a handful of local restaurants will provide free samples at their respective tables. —Alexandra Lyon $50; after 6:00p on Nov. 7: $60 Doubletree by Hilton Phoenix-Gilbert SanTan Elegante Resort & Conference Center 1800 S. SanTan Village Pkwy., Gilbert

W. P. Carey School of Business

18th Annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards Luncheon Fri., Nov. 21 — 11:15a – 1:30p The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University will be hosting its 18th Annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards Luncheon on November 21. In addition to the luncheon this year, it is introducing a one-hour business coaching workshop before the event. “We have a lot of people who commute from far away, so last year at the event we gave everyone a survey and asked them what we could do to make the event better,” says Sidnee Peck, event organizer and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the W. P. Carey School of Business. “From that, we decided a business workshop would be something worth trying.” The business workshop, “Challenges of Entrepreneurial Success: Taking your business to the next level,” will precede the luncheon and is offered as an additional optional cost. It will feature three guest speakers from the W. P. Carey School of Business who will discuss growing strategies relating to the culture of individual businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers and gain insight into how to maintain the culture of their business as it grows. The awards, presented during the luncheon, will recognize businesses that have participated in the community, boosted the economy, shown excellence in entrepreneurship, value and communicate ethics, and are profitable over the course of this year. Of those businesses, 10 finalists will be competing for five awards, deliberated and judged by previous event winners. Past winners include both local and national businesses such as Infusionsoft and Cold Stone Creamery. “What makes these awards unique is, we are not looking for a specific industry,” says Peck. “Our 10 finalists are always different. We hear all the time from finalists, regardless of if they won or not, that the exposure from the event has significantly affected their business.” —Alexandra Lyon Luncheon: $98 Workshop (10:00a – 11:00a): $30

Sarah Watts, sarah@gilbertchamber.com

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa 5350 E. Marriott Dr., Phoenix

NOVEMBER 2014

wpcarey.asu.edu/spirit

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NOVEMBER 2014 NOTABLE DATES Nov. 2 – Daylight Savings Time Ends Nov. 4 – Election Day

Nov. 11 – Veterans’ Day Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day

NOMINATE FOR NEXT YEAR All members of the community are invited to cast nominations for these awards. The nomination form for the Gilbert Community Excellence Awards is available on the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce website (www.gilbertaz.com). Information about requirements for the Spirit of Enterprise application process can be found online at the W. P. Carey website (www.wpcarey.asu.edu/ spirit). Nominations for next year begin in late spring.

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On The Agenda Tues., Nov. 4

NOVEMBER 2014 Fri., Nov. 7

11:15a – 1:15p

November Luncheon: Engineering Tomorrow’s Workforce Arizona Association for Economic Development “Engineering Tomorrow’s Workforce” will feature representatives the three major universities in Arizona — Todd Hardy, Arizona State University; Bruce Wright, University of Arizona; and Rich Bowen, Northern Arizona University. What are these institutions doing to ready the work force for the future? How can they make a difference in the type of jobs we attract to Arizona in the future? Members: $40; non-members: $50; late registrants: $55 Phoenix Country Club

2901 N. 7th St., Phoenix

Wed., Nov. 5

aaed.com/events

In Business Magazine

Wed., Nov. 5 Reception: 5:30p; Dinner and Awards: 7:00p

22nd Annual Best of the West Awards

10:00a – 11:00a

New Global Day in Phoenix

WESTMARC

Global Chamber

The signature event of the West Valley for more than 20 years, the event is designed to celebrate the best of Western Maricopa County and recognize outstanding contributions to quality of life, economic development and innovation.

Mayor Stanton and leaders in business, education, nonprofit and government share new global opportunities and initiatives in Metro Phoenix, including the launch of the Global Chamber® headquarters in Metro Phoenix, and the regional Global Chamber® Phoenix.

Begins 12:30p on Wed.; ends 12:30p on Fri.

Economic Club of Phoenix Discussion of breakthrough service methodologies and how to leverage revenue-enhancing service models. The annual Compete Through Service Symposium is two and a half days of learning and networking with business and academic leaders where attendees will experience in-depth education specifically designed to help them face the challenges of competing and profiting through service. This year’s program is organized around specific themes that offer comprehensive and timely service knowledge and expertise. The topic areas are: Customer Experience and Engagement, Service Revenue, and Growth Service Innovation. This is a once-yearly event specifically designed for service leaders! Center members and program alumni: $1,850; non-members: $2,000; team rates available

wpcarey.asu.edu/cts

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6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale inbusinessmag.com

6333 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale

2014 Be In Business EXPO

(623) 435-0431

Wed., Nov. 5

Wed., Nov. 12

5:30p – 7:30p

11:00a – 1:00p

Shakers & Stirrers Mixer

Strategic Connections Expo

Networking for Professionals

National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix

Happy Hour cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, plus raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle for the charity of the month. This B2B mixer usually attracts 70-80 attendees. Sign up online and receive the list of the NFP attendees the next day.

The luncheon meeting is “Let’s Get Down to Basics” and includes the Strategic Connections Expo. Luncheon is preceded by NAWBO University at 9:30a (members: free; non-members: $30), with a workshop about the “power partner” process presented by Kim Marie Branch-Pettid, owner and CEO of LeTip International

Members: $10; non-members: $15; online and at door: $20

Members: $38; non-members: $48; RSVP by Nov. 9

Cantina Laredo

Phoenix Country Club

7361 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale

Fri., Nov. 7

2901 N. 7th St., Phoenix

nawbophx.org

Debbie Hart, (602) 993-5412 Cocktail Reception/Silent Auction: 6:00p; Live Auction: 8:00p

21st Annual Auction Glendale Chamber of Commerce Join the Glendale Chamber of Commerce for its 21st Annual Auction. This event is a great way to help support the program of work for the Chamber, a great night of networking and an opportunity to bid on some fabulous items just in time for the holidays! Dinner will be served. $55

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The Phoenician Resort – The Camelback Ballroom

7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale

200 W. Washington St., Phoenix

25th Annual Compete Through Service Symposium

Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas

$65

Phoenix International Raceway

yvonne@globalchamber.org

Wed., Nov. 5 – Fri., Nov. 7

In Business Magazine Guest Editors are among the best business minds in the community. This annual luncheon and expo brings together an imposing slate to participate in panel discussions led by moderator Ted Simons, host of KAET Channel 8’s “Arizona Horizon” – all topics aimed at fostering growth and building business.

Members: $250; non-members: $275

Free Phoenix City Hall – Lobby Atrium

11:30a – 2:00p

4th Annual Guest Editor Economic Summit

Glendale Civic Center

5750 W. Glenn Dr., Glendale

Please confirm, as dates and times are subject to change.

glendaleazchamber.org

For more events, visit “Business Events” at www.inbusinessmag.com

Thurs., Nov. 13

Fri., Nov. 14

4:00p – 8:00p

11:30a – 1:30p

Governor’s Celebration of Innovation: Presented by Avnet, Inc.

29th Annual Sterling Awards

Arizona Technology Council

The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce will honor its members who have achieved business excellence. The Chamber’s marquee event, the Sterling Awards embody the spirit of the organization by celebrating the people and companies that make the community a great place to live, work and play. Dinner and a great night of networking.

Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce

Annual awards gala by the Arizona Technology Council in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority honors technology leaders and innovators from across the state. This year’s event will consist of a theater-style awards program followed by a strolling dinner complete with specialty desserts and live music, plus a Technology Showcase of more than 50 Arizona companies. Members: $150; non-members: $200 Phoenix Convention Center – West Building, 3rd Floor

100 N. 3rd St., Phoenix

$75

Chaparral Suites Resort

(602) 343-8324

Wed., Nov. 19

Thurs., Nov. 13

A quarterly meeting, this is an opportunity to be a part of the formation of a very important alliance consisting of businesses, cities and schools committed to help foster a better collaboration for common goals and initiatives. Hosted by the City of Surprise, it is open to Chamber members and non-members.

This month’s technology topic is “What is on your Christmas wish list?” A panel of professionals will present exciting and upcoming technological toys. Perhaps some new toys to add to your own Christmas wish list.

Fri., Nov. 14

$15; includes breakfast City Hall Community Room

25 S. Arizona Pl., Chandler

chandlerchamber.com

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce This is an exciting opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in Phoenix City Hall, learn what it takes to effectively do business with the City of Phoenix and get to know some of the top decision-makers. This year’s event will also provide attendees with in-depth workshops on economic development efforts and planning and development. Following the program, attendees will enjoy lunch with Phoenix City Council members.

The event, hosted by Phoenix MBDA Business Center and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, includes the 3nd annual inductions into the Arizona Million Dollar Circle of Excellence, recognizing companies that do at least $1 million of business with minorityowned suppliers; and the presentation of the annual Phoenix Minority Business Enterprise Awards. This also marks the start of a dialogue of the importance of diversity in a company’s work force, and how Employee Resource Groups are helping drive this element.

Fri., Nov. 14

Members: $15; non-members: $25 City of Phoenix Council Chambers

2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix

7:30a – 9:00a

8:45a – 1:00p

Day at the City

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Arizona Biltmore – AB Ballroom

Natalia, (602) 279-1800

Fri., Nov. 21

11:30a – 1:00p

Spirit of Scottsdale

Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Women of Scottsdale

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City of Tempe presents Mayor Mark Mitchell’s State of the City Address. The mayor will share his thoughts on the local social and economic climate along with his vision for the growth and future of Tempe and Arizona. A valuable opportunity to enjoy a breakfast with civic, business and political leaders of the Valley, the event includes breakfast.

Women of Scottsdale celebrates the “Spirit of Scottsdale” In the refined setting of an elegant reception and luncheon. Business and professional women, community leaders, and women from all walks of life are welcome. Women who work or live in Scottsdale and share a pride in the uniqueness of the community come together once a month for the opportunity to enjoy mutual interests and the exchange of new ideas with other stimulating women.

Tempe Mission Palms Hotel Meghan Dorn, (480) 736-4285

60 E. 5th St., Tempe

$35; reservations required

If your event is directed to helping build business in Metro Phoenix, please send us information to include it in the In Business Magazine events calendar. Full calendar online. Events@inbusinessmag.com

200 W. Jefferson St.., Phoenix

phoenixchamber.com

2014 State of the City Address with Mayor Mitchell

Members: $50; general public: $70

16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise

Earl Brown, (623) 242-4788

Thurs., Nov. 20

Mini-Expo & Registration: 7:30a – 8:30a Breakfast & Program: 8:30a – 10:30a

2014 Business Diversity Summit

$75

8:00a – 9:30a

Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce

Chandler Chamber of Commerce

Anna Mineer, (480) 355-2708

Business & Educators Breakfast

11:30a – 1:00p

Technology Brown Bag Lunch Seminar Series

Free

5001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale

Westin Kierland

6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale

womenofscottsdale.org

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WE VALUE WHAT WE OWN

BY MIKE HUNTER

All-New Ford F150 Platinum

FORD F150 PLATINUM

Ford has reinvented the technology behind engineering a tough and eco-friendly truck with this 2015 all-new edition of the most-awarded truck in history. The F150 combines high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy for the body and bed and a new, fully boxed, high-strength steel frame to create a rigid foundation that makes this model more capable and effective. Weighing nearly 700 pounds less than last year’s model, this all-new version is the future of tough trucks. Three engine options are the 3.5L V6 Ti-VCT FFV, the 3.5L EcoBoost and the 5.0L v8 FFV, each serving its power purpose. The EcoBoost engine achieves great low-end torque and capacity combined with efficiency that elevates the eco-friendly engine to a new level. The trusted eight-cylinder power from the 5.0L engine has a best-in-class payload

City: 17 (est.) Hwy: 23 (est.) 0-60 mph: 5.9 Trans: 6-speed automatic MSRP: $50,960

rating of 3,300 lbs. with more than a half ton over its nearest competitor. With 385 horsepower and 387 lb.-ft. of torque, this V8 demonstrates the power of the F150. Other technologies this F150 brings to market are those on the dashboard that make navigation and suspension management as easy as using a smartphone. The all-new, 8-inch Productivity Screen offers greater convenience in navigating between screens and gauges to get the full picture of mechanical metrics, speed and diagnostics. Enhanced views of on-board communications and navigation are also a plus whether this is a luxury or worksite edition. Another enhancement of note is the optional moon roof that extends over the rear seats. It is constructed in two panels, and the front — in moon-roof tradition — opens and tilts. The overall look of the new F150 Platinum remains, with several cosmetic and updated features that include LED headlamps and redesigned rear lamps. The segment-first LED spotlights in the mirrors illuminate tasks at hand from just about any angle long after the sun has set. The unique genuine wood-grain trim, leather, premium sound system and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels make this a luxury beast for the road, the worksite and just a night on the town. Ford ford.com

A Print Is Worth 1,000 Words Engines with EcoBoost technology deliver power and torque consistent with those of larger engines and achieve 20 percent better fuel efficiency and 15 percent reduced greenhouse emissions.

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Office machines have evolved and the all-in-one printer has become a virtual mailroom for many businesses. Here are our recommendations for both a small and large office.

DELL C5765DN MULTIFUNCTION COLOR LASER PRINTER Robust and secure with enhanced, built-in solutions to boost efficiency, this features embedded document solutions, high security and very reliable operations. Workflow solutions for document management and all-in-one capabilities mean connectivity for large offices and solutions for file management. $3,499 dell.com

HP LASERJET PRO COLOR 500 Print, copy, scan and fax with this small office color printer. Full file management and cloud access allow for multiple users. Save paper with 2-sided printing and reliable and consistently fast print and scan speeds. $599.99 hp.com

Through the first half of 2014, Forbes reports, Ford F-Series continues its 30-year run as America’s No. 1-selling vehicle.

Photos courtesy of Ford (top), Apple, Dell, Toshiba (right, top to bottom)

ECOBOOST BY FORD

SEDAN SUV EXECUTIVE VAN LIMOUSINE SPRINTER MINI BUS MOTORCOACH

BY MIKE HUNTER

MEALS THAT MATTER

A Mainstream Meal: Cornish Pasty Co.

CREAM OF TOMATO, WITH CROUTONS Made from scratch. Served with homemade bread and butter. Cup $3.50 Bowl $5.00

PAS·TY NOUN \ˈPAS-TĒ\:

Getting out of the office and into something hip and flavorful is something to look forward to. Whether with a client or colleagues, here are some hot spots that are architecturally savvy and focus on great foods.

Postino

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Cornish Pasty Co. 960 W. University Dr., Tempe • (480) 894-6261 1941 W. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa • (480) 838-3586 3800 N Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale • (480) 945-1220 cornishpastyco.com

Getting Uber Hip for Lunch

A small pie filled with uncooked meats and vegetables in a round pastry, then folded and baked.

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with a side of tahini or tzatziki sauce. Homemade soups are made fresh daily and are the heartier soups perfect for this time of year. Also enjoy a salad made with the freshest of vegetables and ingredients, like the Greek Salad or the Chicken Tikka Salad made with marinated chicken breast that has been baked in Indian spices, diced and sprinkled over romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions, served in a mint-yogurt dressing. Each location is unique in look and style. The Tempe location is rustic and unpolished while the Scottsdale location is newly-built in a shaker-style bungalow-look that is bright and very comfortable. The service is casual and all about getting patrons what they want. Substitutions are near impossible as all of the pasties are pre-made and baked to order. The bar is open at each location, with very good beer and wine lists and other libations that will entice an evening visit for sure.

CLEVER KOI

POSTINO

Chinese-American comfort food with a twist is how this place is described. From delicate dumplings to rice and noodle bowls, this casual-cool spot will satisfy. 4236 N. Central Ave., Phoenix (602) 222-3474 thecleverkoi.com

The original wine café, this hot spot began in Arcadia in the old post office at Campbell Avenue and 40th Street, and now has four locations always hopping. Great cheeses, light sandwiches, top ingredients and creative tastes make this a must. 4 locations (Arcadia, Central Phoenix, Tempe and Gilbert) postinowinecafe.com

ZUZU CAFÉ AT VALLEY HO This is a classic menu with a modern twist. Old favorites for lunch include sandwiches, salads and entrées that are fresh and re-invented to please the palate. Located in the famed Hotel Valley Ho. 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale (480) 421-7997 cafe-zuzu.com

Did You Know? Cornwall rivals London for food and now has a multitude of award-winning local food producers and stellar chefs putting the region well and truly on the gourmet map. visitcornwall.com

Photos courtesy of Cornish Pasty Co. (top and far left), Upward Projects (left)

THE PILGRIM Roasted turkey/chicken, sweet potatoes, grilled onions and stuffing. Served with red wine gravy and cranberry sauce. $9.50

Growing up in Saltash, Cornwall, the westernmost county in England, Dean Thomas, founder of Cornish Pasty Company, was introduced to this famed food — the pasty. Thomas’ first restaurant in Tempe was a local favorite, and he has expanded now to other parts of the Valley, including a bungalow-style location in Old Town Scottsdale. The scrumptious dish is a virtual “pastry package” that can be filled with just about anything that sounds appealing to the palate. Thomas’ menu includes some incredible traditional choices and some outlandishly delicious variations. The Oggie, the original pasty, is made with steak, potatoes, onion and rutabaga with a side of red wine gravy or ketchup. The Lamb and Mint includes fresh mint, lamb, potatoes, rutabaga and onion and also comes with the red wine gravy. A certain favorite is the Chicken Pot Pie made with chicken, carrots, red potatoes, green beans and celery, baked in a thyme chicken gravy. A fan favorite is the Rosemary Steak or Chicken that is savory with marinated meat, roasted red potatoes, brie, roasted red peppers and fresh rosemary with a side of mustard cream sauce. On the lighter side is the Greek or Chicken Greek made with spinach, fresh mozzarella, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, artichokes and roasted garlic that comes

TEMPE CHAMBER

ADVANTAGE Nov. 2014 – Feb. 2O14 • tempechamber.org

2014 State of the City The 2014 State of the City Address with Mayor Mitchell will take place on Friday, Nov. 14 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Tickets are $50 for Tempe Chamber members and $70 for non-members. The event includes breakfast and the public is invited to attend. Learn more and register at www.tempechamber.org. State of the City is presented by Edward Jones Platinum sponsors: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; Arizona Pipe Trades Local 469 Gold sponsor: CenturyLink; Wentworth Property Company Silver sponsors: Arizona State University Office of Public Affairs; SRP, State Farm Insurance; Tempe Tourism Office Copper sponsors: APS; Cox Communications; Sender Associates, Chtd. Print sponsor: AlphaGraphics at Elliot and Kyrene

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2015 Business Excellence Awards Nominations Needed By Sean Donovan, Vice President, Media and Program Development The Tempe Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2015 awards ceremony through Nov. 17. The awards promote the advancement of responsible business leadership and honor those who demonstrate a passion for excellence. Through the Business Excellence Awards, the Tempe Chamber identifies companies whose practices in business growth, employee development, community involvement and customer service exemplify excellence. Two awards will be presented. One will honor a company which best represents the Large Business category (101 or more employees) and one will honor a company that best represents the Small Business category (100 or fewer employees). Individuals in the community are encouraged to nominate a company that embraces a commitment to success. The 2014 recipients of the award were Landings Credit Union and the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. The inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year Award also will be presented for the first time in the history of the ceremony. The award will recognize an individual, business or organization that best embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship, engages in responsible business practices and demonstrates a passion for innovation and success. To nominate for either award, simply email the company’s name and contact information including a main contact name to sean@tempechamber.org. Selfnominations and multiple nominations are accepted.

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

Landings Credit Union

“When I received the news that I had been chosen as a finalist for the Tempe Chamber’s 2014 Business Woman of the Year Award, a wave of emotions flowed through me. I was taken by surprise, and I was sincerely honored and overjoyed with this news. I have admired the past recipients who have demonstrated the dedication to leadership in their chosen fields and who serve as role models in their business, the community and in the Tempe Chamber. I am delighted to have been a finalist and will continue to give back to the communities in which I live, work and play.” — Nancy Kinnard

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2013-2014 mentors and proteges

Women In Business Mentoring Program By Meghan Dorn, Communications Director Since 2011, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce has offered a mentoring program designed to help professional women reach and achieve their personal and professional goals. Led by the Chamber’s Women in Business Council, the program creates an environment in which members can prosper and celebrate their success. After carefully identifying the best matches, a selection committee pairs Mentors, more accomplished individuals, with a Protégé, a less accomplished professional. Over the course of six months, from December 2014 through May 2015, Mentors and Protégés work together through a guided process with the objective of meeting the following goals: Self-Discovery – an opportunity for Protégés to discover their personal leadership style, create a vision for their life, and develop an understanding of how self-knowledge can be used in order to reach one’s full potential. Learning Roles – performing a variety of activities and receiving honest feedback of their strengths and opportunities for

development, Protégés will identify goals and create a personal and professional development plan. Connections – Protégés will further develop their networking skills. Protégés will also gain an understanding of and an appreciation for differing communication styles. Experience – Mentors and Protégés will be encouraged to discuss differences in terms of personal background/history and explore how these differences impact day-to-day and future success. Legacy – Mentors and Protégés will learn how to share their experience in the program with others as a way to continue the tradition and develop more leaders. The program concludes in May at the Tempe Chamber’s annual Women in Business Conference. Mentors and Protégés are recognized for their commitment and growth during this period. For more information about the Women in Business programs, please visit www. tempechamber.org or call 480.736.4281.

“I applied for the mentoring program because of the robust program/ workshops they had scheduled. I was hoping to grow professionally and personally thru this experience. With the help of my mentor, Jackie, as well as all of the wonderful speakers, I had the confidence and tools to start my own business. Mentoring relationships among professional women are so important in this day and age. We all want to grow in our careers as well at home, so we need guidance from others who have walked the walk before us.” —Kelly Lorenzen, Protégé, CEO, All About Compression, Inc.

“The Mentorship Program was for me a great opportunity to connect on a different level with men and women who have and are making a significant impact on our community. My protégé, Jennifer, was an inspiration to me. She’s an ambitious and driven young woman who has a fresh outlook on her future. She marries drive and compassion with creativity that will continue to shape her career and ongoing success. She was by far the highlight of the program for me.” – Vicki Kringen, Mentor, TCH

Business Mentoring Available From SCORE Greater Phoenix SCORE has a representative within the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. If you are in need of business consulting, you can book a no-cost appointment with them on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meetings take place at the Tempe Chamber office. Greater Phoenix SCORE provides free mentoring to small business owners and entrepreneurs, along with classes, seminars, and special events to benefit small businesses across the Valley. Our SCORE representative is ready to help you start up a business, grow your business or work through difficult business management issues. Book your appointment by calling 602.745.7250 or visiting www.greaterphoenix.score.org

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Travel Opportunities from the Tempe Chamber Don’t be like everyone else – TAKE YOUR VACATION TIME! And let the Tempe Chamber help you save money while you see the world. We have negotiated deeply discounted rates on behalf of the community and all are welcome to travel – no membership required! These exotic destinations are ideal for anniversaries, holidays or simply to check them off your bucket list.

From Central Holidays West

The Majestic Blue Danube River Cruise: Passau to Budapest

How Time Out of the Office Improves Productivity in the Office By Meghan Dorn, Communications Director As we gear up to close out another calendar year, ask yourself: did you use all of your vacation time? Odds are, you are among the 75% of Americans who failed to take all of their allotted vacation. This is a significant challenge not only for the employee, but for the business owners and managers alike. There are a myriad of excuses why employees put off vacations: fear that management will deem them lazy or not committed to the organization; if waters are turbulent, they could be laid off; projects won’t survive without them; not enough discretionary income to afford going anywhere. What most people fail to realize is that when employees disregard their need to disconnect, they are putting their health in jeopardy, as well as the health of the organization. All jobs have some level of stress on any given day and employees need time away from the hustle and bustle to clear their heads and their minds, allowing them to come back and perform at higher levels. Additionally, the added stress can lead to additional health problems which will only add to the cost of stress-related health care, currently estimated at over $344 billion annually. Jeff Weiss, Senior Vice President of Benefits at USAA, was recently quoted in a Forbes article, saying, “We think time off is actually critical to productivity. When people take their time off to refresh and renew, we believe they service the members more effectively.” Of course, the most important thing to do when one takes vacation time is to truly TAKE vacation and refrain from checking in at the office. Surprisingly, a reported 61% of Americans continue to work while on vacation, and 20% of employees hear from their bosses during this time. Make sure that you have a strong team in place who can manage projects while someone is out of the office and can deal with challenges should they arise. Respect your employees’ free time and your business will be rewarded in the long run.

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March 25 – April 2, 2015 Rates from $3,549, including air and cruise. Participants will travel on board the luxurious 5 star “MV Elegant” to visit memorable sites and enjoy a multitude of unforgettable experiences such as a panoramic city tour of Munich, the Ringstrasse, Vienna’s stunning Opera House, Esztergon’as basilica and the Imperial Festival Palace of Castle Hof

From Central Holidays West

India

November 4 – 13, 2015 Rates from $3,099, including air and land Participants will visit Delhi, Birla Temple, Jaipur, the ancient city of Agra over ten days and seven nights

From Collette Travel

Inspiring Iceland June 14 - June 22, 2015 Rates from $4,999, including round trip air from Sky Harbor Intl Airport, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, Hotel Transfers Nine days of travel including stops in Reykjavik, Golden Circle, Thingvellir National Park, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Puffin Cruise, Blue Lagoon For more information on these travel opportunities, please contact Mary Ann Miller at maryann@tempechamber.org

Business Owners Forum By Melody (Johnson) Elkin, Vice President, Membership Development According to the Small Business Association, there are almost 28 million small business in the US, with over 22 million of these being self-employed individuals with no additional employees. That’s a lot of American’s doing things for themselves…but that doesn’t mean they have to do it alone. Each month, the Tempe Chamber gathers business owners to share their struggles and triumphs in an environment that promotes confidential and open dialogue. The purpose is to help one another solve the challenges they face as business owners, as well as share insights and ideas to enhance Tempe businesses and foster a viable economic climate. In a recent meeting, the conversation centered on things business owners did that helped improve their bottom line. Solutions that were discussed included hiring the right talent, knowing when to eliminate talent that was no longer a fit, and really listening to the needs of clients in order to satisfy their needs.

In a recent presentation to the Tempe Board of Directors, Chamber Staff and Leadership team, Mayor Mark Mitchell said, “If you want to be successful, you have to surround yourself with people who want you to be successful.” It is this philosophy that drives the collaborative minds of our Business Owners Forum. For more information about the Business Owners Forum, please visit www.tempechamber.org or call 480.736.4281.

“If you want to be successful, you have to surround yourself with people who want you to be successful.” —Mayor Mark Mitchell

Ken Blanchard College of Business | College of Education | College of Nursing | College of Arts & Sciences | College of Fine Arts & Production

Campus • Evening • Online

A R I Z O N A’ S P R I VAT E U N I V E R S I T Y S I N C E 1 9 4 9 Get started today! 855.287.0174 | www.gcu.edu/inbusiness Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. (800-621-7440; http://www.ncahlc.org/ ).

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Kick Your Membership Into 5th Gear By Melody (Johnson) Elkin, Vice President, Membership Development Every business has their own unique experience when they join the Chamber. Part of it has to do with their individual business, but mostly it has to do with how they maximize the resources that are available to

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them. Here are some of the best practices to kick your experience into overdrive: Networking – Whether you like speed networking, one-on-ones or mix and mingle, there are at least a half-dozen opportunities

each month for you to connect with other members at events. But make sure you are networking correctly! The key to building relationships is to be more INTERESTED than INTERESTING…ask more questions and people will remember you more favorably after the event. Oh…and don’t forget to follow up! Committees – The Chamber wouldn’t be able to fulfill its mission without the support of the committees. Be it Government Relations, Military Affairs, Business Development or Women in Business, your professional insights are needed and wanted. Visit each Committee, see which one is a fit, and have a one-on-one with the Chair and appropriate staff member and get involved. Sponsoring – Different events appeal to different individuals, so make sure you research all sponsorship opportunities to find the best fit for your business. Additionally, we understand that your business might offer something we didn’t know we need…so don’t be afraid to tell us about it! Advertise – Hit the masses in a targeted manner by advertising with the Chamber. Opportunities include email newsletters, printed postcards, and the Chamber website. If one of these opportunities isn’t a fit, contact us and we’ll see what we have that will fit your needs. For more information about leveraging your Chamber membership, please email info@ tempechamber.org or call 480.736.4281.

Grow Your Network in Tempe The Tempe Chamber of Commerce offers members and the business community opportunities to connect and grow their network throughout the month. Find the event that works with your schedule and join us! Networking @ Noon This â&#x20AC;&#x153;speed dating for businessâ&#x20AC;? event allows you to promote your business and build relationships. Second Thursday of each month $25 for members, $35 for guests Hot Topics & Lunch, Sponsored by SRP Each month we feature a speaker and topic to educate the business community. Third Thursday of each month $25 for members, $35 for guests Business Before Hours, Sponsored by Wells Fargo Join us for a morning of food and networking. Bring brochures and business cards and be ready to give a 30-second commercial about yourself or your business. A light breakfast is provided. Third Tuesday of each month Free to attend and open to the public

Business After Hours, Sponsored by Cox Business This informal happy hour mixer provides a welcoming and casual atmosphere where you can meet and mingle with other members of the business community. Fourth Wednesday of each month Free to attend and open to the public Business Owners Forum, Sponsored by Century Link Join us for breakfast and discussions about current issues and business-related topics. This free event is an extremely effective owner-to-owner networking event that has proven exceptionally valuable to attendees. Attendance is limited to business owners only. Fourth Thursday of each month Free to attend and open to the public For more information or to register for an upcoming event, please contact Meghan Dorn at meghandorn@tempechamber.org or 480.736.4285.

GiveToPCHF.org

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Board of Directors Chairman of the Board: Kristine Kassel Chair-Elect: Tim Ronan Treasurer: Misty Howell Mary Ann Miller, President and CEO maryann@tempechamber.org Sean Donovan, Vice President, Media and Program Development sean@tempechamber.org Meghan Dorn, Communications Director meghandorn@tempechamber.org

Vice-Chairs: Randy Schultz, Liz White, Brian Wood Immediate Past Chair: Jeff Mirasola Directors: Kjell Andreassen, Leslie Barrett, Nigel Brooks, Dawn Hocking, Joe Hughes,Dave Long, Kelly Lorenzen, Paul Mittman, Mary Palomino, Aqeel Shahid, Steve Skirvin

Melody (Johnson) Elkin, Vice President, Membership Development melody@tempechamber.org

Ex-Officios: Andrew Ching, Angela Creedon, Stephanie Nowack, Janeen Rohovit

Julie Flanigan, Director of Finance julieflanigan@tempechamber.org

Committee Chairs: Nigel Brooks, Tracy Bullock, Hollie Costello, David Gourley, Jeff Heisner, Nancy Kinnard, Jeff Mirasola, Brad Taylor, Tom Waldron, Frank Woertz

Shari Hodziewich, Membership Retention shari@tempechamber.org Courtney McIntyre, Director of Operations courtneymcintyre@tempechamber.org

Tempe Chamber of Commerce 909 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281 480.967.7891 www.tempechamber.org

Master Your Social Position!

Social Media that gets noticed, backed by the credibility of In Business Magazineâ&#x20AC;Ś Marketing Automation | Social Media | Digital Products www.inbusinessmag.com 480.588.9505

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Arizona Technology Report Arizona Technology Council: The Voice of the Technology Industry

In This Issue 2015 Public Policy Guide…Pg. 2 Colombia Connection…Pg. 4 StartupConnect AZ…Pg. 5

Who We Are The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies.

Phoenix Office

2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1920 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: 602-343-8324 Fax: 602-343-8330 info@aztechcouncil.org

Tucson Office

The University of Arizona Science and Technology Park 9040 S. Rita Road, Suite 1150 (near I-10 and Rita Road) Tucson, AZ 85747 Phone: 520-382-3281 Fax: 520-382-3299 tucson@aztechcouncil.org

Management and Staff Steven G. Zylstra

Deborah Zack

Don Rodriguez

President + CEO

Senior Director, Membership Services

Editor

Leigh Goldstein Vice President, Operations + Events

Brian Krupski Director of Membership Services

Ron Schott Executive Emeritus, Phoenix Office

Anne Rody

Melissa Craven

Don Ruedy

Director, Finance + Administration

Executive Assistant to President + CEO

Executive Emeritus, Tucson Office

Merry Lake Merrell

Alex Rodriguez

Justin Williams

Director, Marketing + Communication

Vice President, Southern Arizona Regional Office, Tucson

Executive Emeritus, Tucson Office

Kitty Bogy

Jeremy Babendure, Ph.D.

Director, Talent Solutions TechFetch

Executive Director, Arizona SciTech Festival

aztechcouncil.org

Nov. 2014 – Feb. 2O15 aztechcouncil.org

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

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| State Issues Policy Guide | 2014 Public logy Council Arizona Techno

2015 Public Policy Guide Council sets agenda for working with lawmakers on tech issues

As the nation prepares to vote for new lawmakers at the state and federal levels, the Arizona Technology Council and its Public Policy Committee already have prepared a slate of public policy positions intended to make Arizona the best place for technology firms to do business. The 2015 Public Policy Guide offers key ideas, goals and legislative initiatives that: • Improve the business climate for technology-based businesses, • Provide sources of capital that encourage entrepreneurship, • Create an environment that supports technologyrelated job retention and creation, and • Trains and attract the required talent to compete in a global innovation economy. “The guide serves as an instrument to convey our positions on the issues at the heart of creating the type of technology community that will best serve our members and constituents,” says Zylstra. “Our collective voice has the ability to change the hearts and minds of all levels of decision makers who are shaping the economic future of our state.” The following are highlights from the public policy agenda intended for the Arizona Legislature. For more details as well as information on congressional initiatives, a complete guide is available at www.aztechcouncil.org/ advocacy/publicpolicyguide.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Legislative Priorities – 2015 Expansion of the refundable research and development tax credit – Continue and expand the refundable research and development (R&D) tax credit as a further inducement to Arizona companies raising early-stage capital. The underlying R&D tax credit is a keystone to Arizona’s economic future through the continued growth of highpaying, knowledge-economy jobs. At its current cap of $5 million per year, the existing credit has been an unqualified success. Technology companies with operations in Arizona that have used the credit have reinvested the funds through additional R&D and hiring talent in Arizona. Therefore, it is vital that the cap on the credit be expanded to $10 million in 2016 and $15 million in 2017. Recapitalization of the Angel Investment Tax Credit program – Refund the program at the level of $20 million for the life of the program. In the 2014 legislative session, the Legislature extended the sunset date of the highly successful Angel Investment Tax Credit from 2016 to 2021. Though the bill extended the life of the program, there were no additional funds allocated to the program. Restoration of K-12 education funding – Invest in our education system and support fully funding inflation in the baseline to uphold the voters’ will in the 2000 initiative. The Council continues to focus on building an Arizona that can develop and maintain the work force needed to attract and retain high-wage jobs.

Other Areas Aerospace, Aviation & Defense Defense spending – Ensure Arizona not only continues to be in the top four or five states for aerospace and defense but also moves up in the rankings. Protection of Arizona’s military bases – Shield Arizona’s military bases from development encroachment. Unmanned aerial systems – Seek ways to cultivate strong ties and additional projects with Nevada, one of the six states in the nation selected as test sites for unmanned aerial systems, by leveraging existing assets statewide.

Capital Formation Early-stage venture capital – Due to Arizona’s immediate budget issues, seek to establish a structure for an Early-Stage Technology Venture Fund in 2015 so it can be funded in the future legislative sessions to a level of $50 million over three years.

Cybersecurity A wareness – Make it a priority to educate businesses on the risks posed by unfriendly countries and malicious individuals, and best practices in discerning and blocking attacks. R egulatory – Promote responsible regulation that centers on reasonable and consistent requirements regarding privacy notices and breach responses.

Economic Development A rizona Commerce Authority state promotional effort – Advocate to public policy decision makers for Arizona Commerce Authority’s continuation at an appropriate level of funding with assurance that it remains as the platform for the state’s economic development efforts. Local efforts – Ensure we foster local economic development by supporting local entrepreneurs who engage with the global economy through broadband and the Internet to deliver goods and services around the world.

Education C reation of new work-like and competency-based work experience models to support economic development – Create new models for internships and career exploration — with a no-cost-to-student funding mechanism — to facilitate the development of skills and competencies necessary to support priority economic development in current and emerging sectors. D ramatic improvement of STEM education – Support efforts to dramatically improve science, technology, engineering and math education. E -learning – Leverage technology and infrastructure to ensure the availability of high-quality instruction, including a focus on e-learning. Implementation of Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards with appropriate resources, training and assessment – Recognize Standards are rigorous, providing new standards to better prepare students for work and postsecondary education.

aztechcouncil.org

Energy Diversification of energy supply, utilization – Improve diversification of the state’s energy mix by including solar and other renewable energy resources. This policy would help hedge against short supplies or rising prices in any one type of generation. Electric transmission – Develop and standardize transmission processes to provide Arizona with better access to new energy markets and more efficient use of the existing transmission system.. Regional focus on energy planning – An increased focus on a regional approach could drive an increase in renewable energy generation without requiring modification of Arizona’s renewable energy standard.

Taxation Capital gains – Increase the current capital gain deduction from 25 percent to 57 percent to help reduce the advantage enjoyed by other states with tax systems that more closely align with the federal government. Continued improvement of business property tax competitiveness – Pursue the eventual equalization of business and residential property taxes. As recently as 2005, Arizona businesses faced property tax assessment rates 2½ times those of residents. Data centers – Protect Arizona’s tax advantages in the exemptions given to promote the retention and expansion of enterprise and co-location data centers, and continue to promote all levels of data center activity, including the migration of technology centers to Arizona.

Transportation/Digital Infrastructure Increased broadband availability, affordability and use – Remove or reduce barriers that generate unnecessary costs or delays and otherwise inhibit expansion of privately funded, highspeed digital infrastructure that meets the needs of all Arizonans. Interstate 11 – Create a multimodal corridor between Phoenix and Las Vegas, wherein roadways are paired with rail, telecommunications and energy rights-of-way and facilities. Further, extend Interstate 11 south of Phoenix, enhancing commercial opportunities by linking trade between Mexico and the Intermountain West.

Workplace & Workforce Alignment of education with employer needs – Facilitate connections between technology employers in Arizona and educators and trainers at all levels. Promotion of ways that companies can actively participate in bridging the talent gap – Encourage companies to actively engage with the educators and workforce development organizations at all levels to help set the curriculum content as well as work experience and apprenticeship standards that support certification and credentials. Workforce development – Unite programs and agencies to deal with the skilled workforce shortages affecting many industry sectors, including energy, information technology, bioscience, health sciences, and mid-skill and advanced manufacturing.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Colombia Connection Impact of SciTech Festival felt as far as Latin America When the Arizona SciTech Festival was created, one of the ideas was to use science, technology, engineering and math as a way to draw the state together. Little did organizers realize it had the potential to bring the world closer together. Launched by the Arizona Technology Council Foundation and Arizona State University in 2012, the festival’s success was to be partially measured by its being embraced by the state. But the festival’s reach actually went farther when the town of Mosquera, a suburb of Bogotá, Colombia, used it as the model to recently stage its first Science and Technology Week. It all started when festival director Jeremy Babendure fielded an inquiry from Germán Mauricio Rodriguez Mogollon, principal of Mosquera’s Marie Curie School, which was created with the mission to educate the next generation of scientists. “It’s a real STEM school but in Colombia,” Babendure says. Rodriguez was looking for ways to communicate science to the public when he learned about the Arizona festival. What ultimately resulted was the Science and Technology Week that drew about 8,000 students from public and private elementary and high schools. “Compared to the United States, there

Science and engineering fair in Colombia

are less than 300 scientists in the entire country there, so it offered a huge potential impact to work with this site,” Babendure says. Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, flew to Mosquera on behalf of the Arizona festival to witness the international outreach come alive. “It exceeded my expectations,” he says. “I was amazed at how far they came in a short amount of time.”

Germán Mauricio Rodriguez Mogollon, principal of Marie Curie School, and students at the fair

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

After the initial conversation with Babendure, Rodriguez and wife Fabiola Grisales Mayorga, the school’s academic director, agreed to learn firsthand about the SciTech Festival. Babendure set up meetings in Arizona with various festival collaborators and partners. Since they were coming in September, he even accompanied the couple when they attended the Flagstaff Festival of Science.

Back for More Liking what they saw and learned, the couple returned with two additional teachers and nine students in February when most festival activities are held. Besides visiting multiple events and venues during their trip, the city of Chandler through Odette Moore, economic development specialist, hosted them for several of its events. The visitors even made their own presentations at the city’s Science Saturday. Buzzing with excitement after returning home, Grisales met with Mosquera’s secretary of education to propose a science fair and left the meeting with a commitment, including the dates of Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. As the Colombians worked to prepare, Vicki Massey, Arizonabased district director of the National

Science Teachers Association who met Rodriguez during his visit earlier this year, went to Colombia last month to lead training sessions with 60 teachers. Science and Technology Week began with students visiting university labs, interactive centers, ecological sites and businesses. That was followed by a two-day science and engineering fair where university and high school students presented more than 100 projects. Younger students listened to speakers who included Jim Buizer, deputy director for climate adaptation and international development at The University of Arizona’s Institute of the Environment, who delivered the keynote via Skype. The week ended with students from different high schools participating in a robotics competition. “Our festival was a replica of what we learned in Arizona but with some additional things like conferences,” Rodriguez says.

Robotics competition in Colombia

Zylstra expects more to come in this new partnership. During his trip, he met Colombia’s secretary of science and technology, who expressed interest in attending the 2015 Arizona SciTech Festival and even replicating Mosquera’s event in other Colombia sites. Festival representatives and Rodriguez also will

explore the potential of countries adjacent to Colombia staging their own science and technology events, Zylstra says. “I see this as growing into a more extensive collaboration,” he says. To see highlights from Mosquera, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzTBmRIJjhE.

StartupConnect AZ Entrepreneurial tech community to trade ideas at 2nd annual event That’s it. No more waiting until the time is right. You’re taking the plunge and will finally get that startup off the ground in 2015. But just where do you start? And the pitch — where can you try it out? Answers to these questions and more will be answered at the 2014 StartupConnect AZ Conference on Dec.17. This is the second year for the Arizona Technology Council to present this event that will be sponsored by the Arizona Commerce Authority and IDS Technology Marketing. It will be held at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, Grand Ballroom, 6333 N. Scottsdale Road. StartupConnect AZ is an opportunity to connect, showcase and educate Arizona’s growing startup ecosystem. Coming together for this daylong event will be entrepreneurs, investors and capital sources, representatives of incubators and accelerators, business leaders, educators and public policy makers. “With Arizona’s entrepreneurship ecosystem continuing to grow exponentially, it’s more important than ever that we maintain a sense of connectedness and community,” says Scott Salkin, the event’s chair who also is CEO and founder of IDS Technology Marketing. “We have to remember that Silicon Valley wasn’t planned; it’s not just some master-planned community. What it did and continues to do better than anyone in the world is provide a collaborative, connected environment where startups can flourish. “With StartupConnect AZ, we’re trying to set a foundation for that same kind of connectedness by bringing together and showcasing the entrepreneurship resources and programs from across the state,” he says.

aztechcouncil.org

Best Pitch Wins A highlight of the event will be the Startup Pitch Contest with participants getting before an audience to get others as excited about their startups as they are. The same audience will decide who wins the grand prize: a cash fund that grows with ticket sales at the event. Selection of who will make their pitches is based on responses to an application that asks questions such as: What problem does your idea solve? What makes your idea unique? What skills do you have to execute your idea? The day actually begins at 10 a.m. with “fire starter” workshops where attendees select among three startup-hosted programs focusing on company culture, marketing and sales geared to earlystage companies. Everyone then comes together for an opening keynote address. Next will be the panel discussions “Money Raising Myths in Arizona” and “Diversity in Tech” made up of Arizona tech leaders. In between the panels will be the Startup Pitch Contest. The closing keynote will be “Building a Startup Economy” and is expected to be delivered by an economic development leader who will share experiences. The day will end with an expo and social hour. To get details about registration, go to www.startupconnectaz. com. For consideration to be a Startup Pitch contestant, the link to the application can be found at the same Web page. Application deadline is Nov. 14.

ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Setting the Pace Profiles of new Arizona Technology Council board members Eric S. Lewis, Partner, EY

Sharon Bondurant, Founder and CEO, Tech Finders

Lewis was appointed to a three-year board term in April. He also will serve as treasurer on the executive committee. At EY, he is an audit partner, serving SEC registrants, privateequity investees and venture-capital-funded private companies in the technology and life science industries. He has extensive experience serving semiconductor, software, SaaS, Internet, clean tech and medical device companies, from their initial incorporation to international expansion and multibillion-dollar revenue performance. Lewis has served high-growth companies, working closely with them to advise on executing their growth and financing strategies, and related accounting issues they face. He has assisted clients with successful completion of initial public offerings, debt issuances, equity and debt private placements, and acquisitions. Lewis is a member of Ernst & Young’s SEC Experts Network and serves as the firm’s campus coordinating partner overseeing our recruitment efforts at Arizona State University. He also is a board member of the Arizona Business and Education Coalition. He earned bachelor’s degrees in accountancy and finance from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business.

Bondurant was appointed to a three-year board term in July. At Tech Finders, she leads the Arizona-based recruiting firm that specializes in technical, professional and executive placements. Bondurant has the ability to connect with extraordinary talent and understand her client’s human capital strategies, gaining the respect and loyalty of clients that include P.F. Chang’s, Grand Canyon University, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Infusionsoft and MGM. Her company has grown 246 percent in the past three years and was ranked No. 1 Technical Recruiting Firm in 2014 and 2013 and Top 10 Tech Placement Company in 2012 by Ranking Arizona. Bondurant’s training videos on “How to Find a Job Online” have been sold internationally to new graduates, military veterans and professionals re-entering the work force. An engaging speaker, she regularly participates in panel discussions for the Young Entrepreneurs Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners, whose board she recently joined as director of member services. Bondurant earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University. She is a certified administrator and consultant for the Predix behavioral assessment tool.

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ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Rodriguez named new VP for Southern Arizona office

TechConnect Magazine evolves into blog and digital version The Arizona Technology Council has partnered with the Arizona Commerce Authority to launch new blog and digital e-magazine formats of TechConnect: Arizona’s Technology Magazine. Arizona’s tech leaders have turned to TechConnect as a trusted source on what’s happening within the state’s innovation ecosystem since the Council launched it as a print publication in 2005. Publishing exclusively online creates a new and wide-reaching platform to showcase the breakthroughs occurring in Arizona along with compelling stories of the visionaries and innovative companies that are making them possible. “Arizona’s vibrant community of global tech giants and early-stage innovators, top-ranked universities, leading research minds, and its creative high-skills work force have helped the state blossom into a hub of innovation and a magnet for worldclass companies,” says co-publisher Sandra Watson. “TechConnect will help Arizona to share its success stories by highlighting its leaders, dynamic companies and new ideas that are driving innovation in our state and around the globe.” Watson is president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, the state’s leading economic development

aztechcouncil.org

organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen the state’s economy. “Together, the blog and e-mag will showcase Arizona’s diverse technology community, and allow us to reach thousands of new readers across Arizona and beyond,” says co-publisher Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. The TechConnect blog will be an ongoing source of news and insights from Arizona leaders who are driving new technology formation and industry advancements in our world. The blog also will provide perspective from experts on timely topics, ranging from developments in Arizona’s startup community; to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills in the innovation workforce; to how Arizona fits into the broader national and global technology landscapes. In the quarterly digital e-mag edition of TechConnect, original content will offer in-depth features on innovative companies, tech trends affecting Arizona, legislative policy shaping the state’s tech economy, and the latest discoveries from Arizona’s state universities and top research centers. Visit the TechConnect blog and download the latest e-mag at AZtechconnect.com.

Alex Rodriguez has been named vice president of the Arizona Technology Council’s Southern Arizona Regional Office in Tucson. The native Arizonan was promoted from his role as director of the office, which he joined in August 2012. “Alex has done a great job of supporting the numerous technology companies in southern Arizona as well as promoting the technology industry at large as a key driver of economic growth,” says Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “With his stellar education, credentials in government and impressive military career, we’re fortunate to have him on our team. He’s the ideal leader for the region.” Rodriguez became a U.S. Army officer at age 20. He was a term member of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, served as a U.S. Department of Defense international policy advisor, and country director and special assistant at the Pentagon. He also worked with the U.S. State Department in El Salvador, at the United Nations Association in New York and at the Arizona State Senate. In the private sector, Rodriguez worked at Raytheon to lead, develop and grow its government markets business. He went on to become founder and managing director of the strategic consulting firm Client Attraction Strategy Advisors and co-authored “Counter-Attack: Business Strategies for Explosive Growth in the New Economy” with business development expert Brian Tracy. Rodriguez obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from The University of Arizona. He received his master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY REPORT

connect + grow

Whether you’re a part of a start-up,

We exist to help science and

in Arizona, we offer resources designed

technology companies of all sizes and stages succeed. By serving as the principal point of connection, the Arizona Technology Council can help you build global partnerships to grow locally, get your innovations noticed and stay ahead of the curve.

emerging or well-established company for you to gain insight, education, and connections. In addition to our networking opportunities, public policy support and professional development programs, our members receive exclusive discounts on products and services and are provided numerous opportunities to get the word out about their unique value. Take a fresh look and watch us grow with you as we continue that will bring you closer to meeting your business goals.

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2800 n. central avenue • suite 1920 • phoenix, arizona 85004

A Guide to Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Career Opportunities

Profiling: Goodwill of Central Arizona Grand Canyon University Maricopa Community Colleges Maricopa County Workforce Development

The Education-Workforce Connection Where does business fit into the equation? by RaeAnne Marsh

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“A four-year bachelor’s degree in any subject used to be the most valuable thing you could do,” says Eric Flottmann, chief operating officer of Higher Ed Growth, a Tempe-based company that uses a marketing approach with colleges and universities worldwide to help them boost enrollment. But the fall 2014 Enrollment Pursuit Report he authored reveals that healthcarerelated courses of study are the most popular — and not the four-year programs. These include healthcare administration, insurance billing and coding, and pharmacy technician, among others, but medical assistant has been the dominant choice. “The opportunity for jobs is high, and degrees are relatively easy to get, from a time perspective. They can get a two-year associate’s degree or take a certification programs and be ready to hit the work force,” Flottmann explains.

unities

a’s Career Opport

grow connec t + and help science We exist to of all sizes companies technology serving as succeed. By and stages point of connection, the principal Council Technology the Arizona build global can help you get to grow locally, partnerships stay noticed and your innovations curve. ahead of the

A Guide to Arizon

start-up, a part of a Whether you’re hed company well-establis emerging or designed we offer resources in Arizona, education, gain insight, for you to to our . In addition and connections s, public policy opportunitie t networking developmen professional support and receive our members programs, and on products exclusive discounts numerous are provided services and word out about s to get the opportunitie value. their unique

About this guide: In addition to offering profiles of top educational institutions, our editorial staff has compiled this annual Workforce & Education Guide. Listings include institutions of higher education and career centers, resources in the continuing effort to advance our skilled work force.

us look and watch Take a fresh continue you as we grow with to you closer that will bring business goals. meeting your

look take a fresh Profiling: Central Arizona Goodwill of University Grand Canyon nt Workforce Developme Maricopa County Colleges Maricopa Community aztechcouncil.o 602.343.8324 aztechcouncil l arizona 85004 @aztechcounci • phoenix, suite 1920 avenue • 2800 n. central

Workforce & Education “Schools are interested in the report because this is the part they play in the system to educate folks so they can become functional, working citizens,” Flottmann says. “They come to companies like ours to help fill seats in the classroom.” HEG works with more than 300 schools — including Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University — to match individuals interested in going to school with the school and program appropriate for them. Flottmann says the company has begun a study “picking apart data from the Department of Labor statistics to see if [student] interest matches employer needs.” CorpU works with employers, tailoring its educational program to the specific needs of each company. Charles Schwab is among the businesses with a local presence the Pennsylvania-based talent development company works with. While its focus is not on creating a talent pool where employers can find qualified talent — because it works with the work force that exists at its client companies — it addresses another type of skills gap. Alan Todd, CorpU CEO, explains, “Senior leadership, in terms of their executive education leadership development, has tended to go to the top business schools — Harvard, MIT, Wharton. For middle managers and emerging leaders, access to leading thinkers has been cost-prohibitive. Therefore, they have been getting something less — ineffective e-learning or seminars.” The result, he notes, is a disconnect between the top of the house, where strategy is determined, and the rest of the business — managers, directors, employees — where the strategy is executed. Says Todd, “Education, from the CEO’s perspective, is the No. 1 way to bring strategy to life and get everyone on the same page.” And he adds, “The rate of change has accelerated at such a pace in business that continuous organizational learning is the only mechanism for keeping up and staying relevant.” Working with the schools — for whom. according to Todd, this is an opportunity to grow their market and access a population who could not afford the traditional residential experience — CorpU has rebuilt their world-class teaching and learning programs for a digital experience.

CorpU is also working on a college-employer collaborative, in partnership with the Bill Gates Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative, to build and donate programs to community colleges so they can bridge the skills gap “and deliver grads who have what companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin need,” Todd says. “We’re flipping the talent supply chain on its head.” The traditional model, he explains, has been supplierdriven, with higher education as the supplier and industry as the buyer. Developing a demand-driven approach, “We have gone to the buyer and said, ‘Let’s build programs that produce the output that you need.’” Internships are a traditional tool in the workforce preparation arsenal. Grand Canyon University and SEED SPOT, a local social impact incubator, have collaborated to recently launch an Internship for Entrepreneurs program. In a twist from the traditional, this internship program deliberately places interns with startup ventures. “We could send a student to a stable, large business, and the student will learn a lot but would help the company [only] a little, or only one employee,” says Randy Gibb, dean of GCU’s Colangelo College of Business, explaining that the help to a startup could make a significant difference to its success. The program matches a student with an entrepreneur, considering both the student’s skill set and what he or she is passionate about, explains C’pher Gresham, director of entrepreneurial initiatives for SEED SPOT. Noting early-stage companies always have a need for more expertise in different areas, Gresham says students will also bring practical skills in different industry sectors, such as marketing and finance, and have the opportunity to take what they’re learning in an academic setting and apply it in a real-life setting. Purposely developing the internships to not be a long-term commitment, Gibb hopes the students will have five to ten experiences throughout their undergraduate program — and that they create “a hiring pathway.” CorpU corpu.com Grand Canyon University gcu.edu Higher Ed Growth higheredgrowth.com SEED SPOT seedspot.org

Maricopa Community Colleges Funded for Workforce Development Efforts

This past summer, the Maricopa Community Colleges received $1.4 million to bolster educational efforts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and Workforce areas. This additional funding, part of the State’s FY 2015 budget, is the first State appropriation for Maricopa in areas of the STEM and Workforce since 2009. The criteria used to determine the allocation of the dollars within the Maricopa Colleges was predicated on established programs with strong existing partnerships with business and industry and long-term sustainable employment demand. In October, a $10 million federal job-training grant co-

administered by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education was awarded to a consortium that includes GateWay Community College’s Maricopa Skill Center and Estrella Mountain Community College’s SouthWest Skill Center. The Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program expands community college partnerships with employers in highdemand job industries so students are ready for employment when they graduate. —RaeAnne Marsh

MORE: Using the recently awarded $10-million Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant, a consortium of Central Arizona College and partners GateWay Community College’s Maricopa Skill Center, Estrella Mountain Community College’s SouthWest Skill Center and Eastern Arizona College will further build on the Arizona Regional Advanced Manufacturing Professional Upgrade Project (AZ RAMP Up). Industry certifications include the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS), the American Welding Society (AWS), the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA), the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), and NCRC +.

For more detailed information, including specific allocations, visit www2.maricopa.edu/press/press-releases.

In the first three quarters of 2014, the greatest employment gain was in Education and Health Services, which reported a gain of 17,200 jobs. —Arizona Dept. of Administration

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Workforce & Education STATE UNIVERSITIES OF ARIZONA Arizona State University 1151 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 www.asu.edu Arizona State University East (Mesa/ Polytechnic Campus) 7001 E. Williams Field Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212 campus.asu.edu/polytechnic Arizona State University West (Glendale/ West Campus) 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, AZ 85306 campus.asu.edu/west Northern Arizona University (Extended Campuses) 435 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004-2157 1202 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013-4208 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85032-1210 ec.nau.edu University of Arizona (Biomed Campus) 550 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 phoenixmed.arizona.edu STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN MARICOPA COUNTY Chandler-Gilbert Community College 2626 E. Pecos Rd,, Chandler, AZ 85225-2499 www.cgc.maricopa.edu Estrella Mountain Community College 3000 N. Dysart Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392 www.emc.maricopa.edu Gateway Community College 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 www.gatewaycc.edu Glendale Community College 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale AZ 85302 www.gccaz.edu Glendale Community College (North Campus) 5727 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix AZ 85310 www.gccaz.edu Maricopa Corporate College 14350 N. 87th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260 www.maricopacorporatecollege.com Mesa Community College (Downtown Center) 145 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 www.mesacc.edu

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Mesa Community College (MCC eLearning) 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ 85202 www.mesacc.edu

Brown Mackie College 13430 N. Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85029 www.brownmackie.edu

Mesa Community College (Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Center) 7440 E. Tahoe Ave., Mesa, AZ 85212 www.mesacc.edu

DeVry University (Mesa Center) 1201 S. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ 85210 www.devry.edu

Paradise Valley Community College 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85032 www.paradisevalley.edu Phoenix College 1202 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013 www.phoenixcollege.edu Rio Salado Community College 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 www.riosalado.edu Scottsdale Community College 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85256 www.scottsdalecc.edu South Mountain Community College (Legacy Traditional School) 7900 S. 43rd Ave., Laveen, AZ 85339 www.southmountaincc.edu South Mountain Community College (Phoenix) 7050 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85042 www.southmountaincc.edu REGIONALLY ACCREDITED PRIVATE STATE COLLEGES IN MARICOPA COUNTY A.T. Still University 5850 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206 www.atsu.edu/contact/about-atsu Albright College at Mesa 1201 S. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ 85210 mesa.albright.edu applymesau.com Arizona Christian University 2625 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032 arizonachristian.edu Arizona Summit Law School 1 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.azsummitlaw.edu Benedictine University at Mesa 225 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201 www.ben.edu/mesa applymesau.com

DeVry University (Phoenix Campus) 2149 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021 www.devry.edu DeVry University (Westgate City Center) 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale, AZ 85305 www.devry.edu Grand Canyon University 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017 www.gcu.edu Midwestern University 19389 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308 www.midwestern.edu Ottawa University (Chandler Campus) 1850 E. Northrop Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85286 www.ottawa.edu Ottawa University (Phoenix Campus) 9414 N. 25th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021 www.ottawa.edu Thunderbird School of Global Management 1 Global Place, Glendale, AZ 85306 www.thunderbird.edu Trine University 14100 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85381 www.trine.edu/peoria University of Phoenix (Northwest Campus 2) 2550 W. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix AZ 85027 www.phoenix.edu University of Phoenix (Phoenix Main Campus) 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe AZ 85282 www.phoenix.edu University of Phoenix (West Valley Campus) 9520 W. Palm Ln., Phoenix AZ 85037 www.phoenix.edu Upper Iowa University 1361 S. Alma School Rd., Mesa, AZ 85210 www.uiu.edu applymesau.com

The State of Arizona FY 2015 budget allocates $1.4 million to the Maricopa Community Colleges for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and Workforce, the first State appropriation for Maricopa in these areas since 2009. See story on page 57.

Workforce & Education

Special Advertising Profile

Grand Canyon University Since 1949, Grand Canyon University has been helping students find their purpose and achieve their potential by preparing them to pursue their chosen career, advance in their current career or re-career into a different field. As a Christian university, GCU also encourages students to find their purpose in Christ, with an emphasis

on applying Christian values and ethics to their studies and to the workplace. GCU offers online and campus-based degree programs within a dynamic learning environment for both traditional students as well as working professionals. Our classes involve engaging interaction with classmates as well as individual attention from instructors who care about student success. GCU is also experiencing an exciting time of campus expansion that includes new dorms, classrooms, a student recreation center, food court and bowling alley. The main attraction is GCU’s 7,000-seat arena that is home to our men’s and women’s basketball teams and also hosts other events such as concerts and world-renowned Christian speakers.

Who we are Company Name: Grand Canyon University Address: 3300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85017 Phone: (602) 639-7500 Website: www.gcu.edu No. of Locations in Metro Phoenix: 1 City Nationally Headquartered: Phoenix CEO/Managing Principal: Brian Mueller No. of Years with Firm: 6 Year Established Locally: 1949 Specialties: Business, Nursing, Health Care, Education, Fine Arts and Production, Theology

LE A R N B U SINE SS from the Best Founded on the belief that the entrepreneurial dream is an engine that drives innovation forward in a global marketplace, the Colangelo College of Business educates and develops values driven business leaders. Named in honor of Jerry Colangelo, one of the most successful sports and business leaders globally for nearly 50 years, the CCOB aspires to create graduates who possess a servant leadership perspective, initiative, strong ethics, integrity and an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit.

To learn more call or visit: (877) 525-6129 | gcu.edu/inbusiness

Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commision. (800-621-7440; http://hlcommision.org/). For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. 14CCOBE0047

Workforce & Education Western International University 1601 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85282 west.edu Wilkes University (Mesa) 245 W. 2nd St., Mesa, AZ 85201 applymesau.com WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS & CAREER CENTERS Arizona Department of Economic Security 120 W. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210 myhsd.maricopa.gov/Divisions/WorkforceDevelopment.aspx Arizona Women’s Education & Employment, Inc. (Central Phoenix / Administrative Office) 640 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003 www.awee.org Chicanos Por La Causa Westside Workforce Development Center 3150 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017 www.cplc.org/social-services /workforce-development.aspx Department of Economic Security Employment Service (Mesa) 163 N. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85201 jobhelp.azlibrary.gov/county/ maricopa-workforce.html Department of Economic Security Employment Service (Peoria) 9770 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ 85354 jobhelp.azlibrary.gov/county/ maricopa-workforce.html Department of Economic Security Employment Service (Phoenix) 4635 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040 jobhelp.azlibrary.gov/county/ maricopa-workforce.html Gilbert Career Center 735 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234 myhsd.maricopa.gov/Divisions /Workforce-Development.aspx Goodwill Career Center (17th Avenue and Camelback) 1625 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85015 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

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Goodwill Career Center (19th Avenue and Baseline) 1980 W. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85041 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (59th Avenue and Camelback) 5836 W. Camelback Rd., Glendale, AZ 85301 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (67th Avenue and Peoria) 6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (75th Avenue and Thomas) 2929 N. 75th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85033 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (16th Street and Indian School) 4005 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (32nd Street and Thomas Road) 3130 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Goodwill Career Center (McKellips – Mesa) 106 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, AZ 85201 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center – Metro (35th Avenue and Peoria) 3514 W. Peoria Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85029 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (MSC) 1245 E. Buckeye Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85034 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (MSC NW) 2931 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85053 US www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (Salvation Army) 2702 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (Southern and McClintock) 3122 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center Goodwill Career Center (A New Leaf) 635 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85204 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Goodwill Career Center (Alma School and Ray Road) 930 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, AZ 85224 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Maricopa Workforce Connection 234 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 myhsd.maricopa.gov/Divisions/ Workforce-Development.aspx

Goodwill Career Center – Clearance Center (51st Avenue and Van Buren) 515 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85043 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Phoenix Workforce Connection – North 9801 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020 jobhelp.azlibrary.gov/county/ maricopa-workforce.html

Goodwill Career Center – Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center Career Center 1130 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Phoenix Workforce Connection – South 4732 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85040 jobhelp.azlibrary.gov/county/ maricopa-workforce.html

Goodwill Career Center (Indian Bend Pavilions at Talking Stick) 8959 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Phoenix Workforce Connection – West 3406 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85031 jobhelp.azlibrary.gov/county/ maricopa-workforce.html

Goodwill Career Center (Litchfield and Van Buren) 211 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

Vista Del Camino Center 7700 E. Roosevelt, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 myhsd.maricopa.gov/Divisions/ Workforce-Development.aspx

Goodwill Career Center – Matthew Henson Community (HOPE VI) 1150 S. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007 www.goodwillaz.org/job-training/#find-center

West Valley Career Center 1840 N. 95th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85037 myhsd.maricopa.gov/Divisions/ Workforce-Development.aspx

U.S. Departments of Labor and Education awarded a $10-million Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant to a consortium of Maricopa Community Colleges entities. See story on page 57.

Workforce & Education

Special Advertising Profile

Maricopa County Workforce Development The growth and prosperity of our region depends on a competitive work force. Maricopa Workforce Connections collaborates with state and community partners to continually identify and develop local talent to meet the needs of local businesses. Let our team relieve you of the burdens of employee recruitment and training. With our

help, your job vacancies will be exposed to a diverse and broad range of qualified workers. Our training network can help your current and future employees acquire the skills they need to make your business more profitable. Services provided by Maricopa County Workforce Connections are overseen by workforce investment boards, policy and oversight boards. MWC’s board is comprised at least 51 percent by private industry and not more than 49 percent by public agency. The MWC Board aspires to be the countywide, selfsustaining partnership hub of employers, elected officials, industry professionals and organizations, all dedicated to the development of a multiskilled, highly motivated work force that meets the growing needs of our ever-changing community.

Who we are Company Name: Maricopa County Workforce Development Address: 234 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: (602) 506-5911 Website: maricopaworkforceconnection.com No. of Locations in Metro Phoenix: 2 Comprehensive Workforce Centers & 40 Access Points No. of Full-Time Teaching Staff/Trainers: 95 City Nationally Headquartered: Phoenix CEO/Managing Principal: Patricia Wallace No. of Years with Firm: 2 Year Established Locally: 1960 Specialties: Career Readiness, Career Planning, Comprehensive Assessments, Job Search/Placement and Support Services

Right on Target Employer Business Services

Let Us Meet Your Company’s Needs Whether your business is changing in size or structure, Maricopa Workforce Connections’ no-charge strategic assistance and support may be just what is needed.

Your business should take advantage of MWC services! n n n n n n

Qualified talent recruitment, screening and skills assessment No cost meeting space Business to Business Networking Specialized trainings for current employees Transition services Retention assistance

Invest in the bottom line without touching your pocketbook. By using MWC’s high-value no-charge resources businesses save valuable recruiting dollars while gaining exposure to job seekers with the diverse backgrounds, skills, education and experience most desired.

More than 20 years of helping area businesses succeed. Equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

All services are provided at no charge to employers and job seekers. Funding is made available through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

Call (602) 506-WORK (9675) to schedule a meeting with a local workforce professional or visit www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com today!

Workforce & Education

Special Advertising Profile

Maricopa Community Colleges The Maricopa Community Colleges system includes ten colleges, two skill centers, a corporate college and multiple satellite locations in the Greater Phoenix area. In 2013, the system served 224,000 credit students and more than 32,000 non-credit students, resulting in the granting of more than 24,000 degrees and certificates. Maricopa Community Colleges is also the largest community college provider of online higher education in the country through Rio Salado College.

Maricopa is the “go-to” resource for workforce training, from the individual student to the corporate client. We offer customized workforce training, free development tools for small businesses, and opportunities to earn while you learn. Many of Maricopa’s programs lead to state, national and industry-recognized certifications, and the district maintains training partnerships with more than 700 local organizations. Through its corporate college, Maricopa offers strategic consulting, needs assessments and customized non-credit training for employers and organizations. Clients include Amazon, Nissan, Ford, Marriott, Transportation Security Administration and Walgreens. The Maricopa Community Colleges system brings an estimated $3 billion in direct and indirect economic benefit to the county. Maricopa employs 1,500 fulltime faculty, 5,200 adjunct faculty, and 3,000 support and administrative staff — generating a $17.4-million bi-weekly payroll.

Who we are Company Name: Maricopa Community Colleges Address: 2411 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone: (480) 731-8000 Website: www.maricopa.edu No. of Locations in Metro Phoenix: 25 No. of Full-Time Teaching Staff/Trainers: 1,500 City Nationally Headquartered: Tempe, AZ CEO/Managing Principal: Rufus Glasper, Ph.D. No. of Years with Firm: 28 Year Established Locally: 1962 Specialties: Transfer, Transfer, Workforce Development, Developmental Education, Civic Engagement

Workforce & Education

Special Advertising Profile

Goodwill of Central Arizona Goodwill of Central Arizona’s mission is to put people to work. Purchases and donations to Goodwill support programs that serve

thousands of Arizonans each year in their quest for employment. Through its 22 Goodwill Career Centers in the Phoenix metro area, Prescott and Yuma, Goodwill offers no-cost services to job seekers, including resume development, interview techniques and access to job openings at local hiring companies. Goodwill and various community partners will host the third annual Career Expo on Tuesday, February 24 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Register today to get your organization in front of thousands of local job seekers, make face-to-face connections with qualified candidates, and find and hire the talent you need. Sponsorship and booth sales are now open. Booth space is limited, and placement is on a first-come, first-served basis. If your organization is looking to expand its work force in 2015, this event is not to be missed. Learn more at www.goodwillcareerexpo.com. For more information about Goodwill’s job preparation and employment services, visit www.goodwilllaz.org or call (602) 535-4444.

Who we are Company Name: Goodwill of Central Arizona Address: 2626 W. Beryl, Phoenix, AZ 85021 Phone: (602) 535-4000 Website: www.goodwillaz.org No. of Locations in Metro Phoenix: 98 total, including stores, donations centers and career centers CEO/Managing Principal: Jim Teter No. of Years with Firm: 6 Year Established Locally: 1947 Specialties: Job Training, Preparation, Placement Services

AWEE Works!

TECH NOTES

Changing Lives Through the Dignity of Work AWEE’s focus – our only focus – is workforce development. We help women and men, young adults and mature workers find jobs, keep their families together, become financially stable, and contribute to the community. AWEE provides the tools for change, economic independence, self-reliance and community revitalization to advance Arizona’s workforce. Our success depends on the investment of our corporate and community partners. To learn more about AWEE’s programs and how to impact their success, visit awee.org or call Jamie Craig Dove at 602-223-4333.

We Teach. We Coach. We Connect. AWEE Works!

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640 North First Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1515 t 602-223-4333 f 602-223-4338 awee.org

NOVEMBER 2014

Alcazar, Drew, 19 Alcazar, Josephine, 19 Babendure, Jeremy, 50 Banther, Barry, 66 Barton, Gavin, 28 Berg, David, D.C., 16 Bondurant, Sharon, 52 Bookspan, Neal, 20 Drain, Patricia Noel, 22 Ellis, Courtney, 14 Fankhauser, Phil, 11 Flottman, Eric, 57 Frost, Steve, D.D.S., 12 Gibb, Randy, 57 Glasper, Rufus, Ph.D., 59 Godin, Seth, 30

Gonzales, Anthony, 14 Gresham, C’pher, 57 Hanley, Dervala, 30 Harder, Clint, 22 Harris, Brian, D.D.S., 12 Hillman, Amy, Dean, 9 Jannenga, Brad, 14 Kringen, Vicki, 41 Lane, Beau, 22 Lanning, Kimber, 30 Lein, Howard, 22 Leonard, Dorothy, 29 Lewis, Eric S., 52 Lopez, Steve, 10 Lorenzen, Kelly, 41 Luna, Paul, 30 Massey, Vicki, 50 Mayorga, Fabiola Grasales, 50

McLane, Chuck, 22 Mills, Jerry, 22 Mitchell, Mark, Mayor, 39 Mogollon, Germán Mauricio Rodriguez, 50 Moore, Christy, 22 Mueller, Brian, 59 O’Keefe, Zandra, 22 Paknejad, Pouria, 20 Parsons, Bob, 22 Peck, Sidnee, 33 Peterson, Clark, 10 Pritulsky, Steve, 12 Robson, Michelle, 22 Rodriguez, Alex, 53 Schultz, Martin, 30 Seleznow, Steve, 30 Shufeldt, John, M.D., 16

Sinar, Evan, Ph.D., 18 Smith, Don, 22 Stelnik, Jeff, 16 Stickler, Teresa, 10 Stoney, Julie, 22 Swap, Walter C., 29 Teter, Jim, 63 Tichy, Noel M., 28 Tilque, Kathy, 33 Todd, Alan, 57 Toney, Mike, 22 Tumlin, Geoffrey, Ph.D., 28 Waldrop, Stephanie, 16, 22 Wallace, Patricia, 60 Williams, Taffy, 28 Wilson, Bob, 22 Wirtjes, Tyler, 22 Zylstra, Steve, 47, 50

Affinity Technology, 15 Alerus Financial, 13 All About Compression, Inc., 41 Alliance Bank of Arizona, 68 Apple, 11 Arizona Association for Economic Development, 34 Arizona Care Network, 16 Arizona Community Foundation, 30 Arizona Leadership Forum, 30 Arizona State University, 9, 33 Arizona Technology Council, 35, 47, 54 Arizona Women’s Education & Employment, Inc., 64 B2B CFO, 22 Banther Consulting, 66 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, 16, 31 CBIZ, 22, 32 Center for the Future of Arizona, 30 Chandler Chamber of Commerce, 35 Chandler, City of, 50 Clean Air Cab, 10 Clever Koi, 38 CollegesOnline.com, 11 Conference Board, The, 18 Conquest Training Systems, Inc., 6, 22 CopperPoint, 2, 22 Cornish Pasty Co., 38 CorpU, 57 Dell, 36 Desert Schools Credit Union, 21 Development Dimensions International, 18 Driver Provider, The, 37 Economic Club of Phoenix, 34 Employee Benefits International, 16, 22 EmpowHER, 22 Epcon Communities Franchising, Inc., 11 Etherios, 14 EY, 52

Force Impact Technologies, 14 Ford, 36 Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, 30 Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 33 Glendale Chamber of Commerce, 34 Global Chamber, 34 GLTYR, 11 GoDaddy, 22 Goodwill, 63 Grand Canyon University, 43, 57, 59 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Helios Education Fou ndation, 30 Higher Ed Group, 57 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 35 HP, 36 Jaburg Wilk, 20 JLL, 14 Journal of American Dental Association, The, 11 K1 Speed, 31 KTAR News-Talk 92.3, 7 LaneTerralever, 22 LGE Design Build, 12 Local First Arizona, 30 LocalWork.com, 11, 37 Maricopa Community Colleges, 58, 62 Maricopa County Workforce Development, 61 Marie Curie School, 50 Melrose Pharmacy, 10 MODUS Development, 12 Mouthpeace Consulting, 28 National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix, 34 National Bank of Arizona, 30 National Science Teachers Association, 50 Networking for Professionals, 34 NewerTech, 14 OnCall Dental, 12 OneNeck IT Solutions, 22 Patricia Drain & Associates, LLC, 22 Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 3

Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, 45 Phoenix Philanthropy Group, The, 21, 30 Postino, 38 RE/MAX Excalibur Realty, 22 Redirect Health, 16 Russo and Steele Scheduling Institute, 12 Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, 35 SEED SPOT, 57 Smith Paknejad PLC, 20 Snell & Wilmer, 5 Spafinder Wellness, Inc., 16 SRP, 17 Starbucks, 30 Stoney-Wilson Business Consulting, LLC, 22 Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, 35

Target Interiors, 67 TCH, 41 Tech Finders, 52 Telesphere, 10 Tempe Chamber of Commerce, 35 Tempe, City of, 39 TiE Arizona, 14 Translational Genomics Research Institute, 30 Uptown Plaza Associates, LLC, 12 Valley Leadership, 22 Vermillion Photo, 15 Vintage Partners, 12 W. P. Carey School of Business, 9, 33 Watt Communities of Arizona, 12 WebPT, 14 Wells Fargo, 52 WESTMARC, 34 Women of Scottsdale, 35 YAM Holdings, 22 ZuZu Café, 38

In each issue of In Business Magazine, we list both companies and indivuduals for quick reference. See the stories for links to more.

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65 20N OV.1 4 I N B U S I N E S S M AG . CO M

Roundtable

A CANDID FORUM

Can Feedback Help Us Succeed? Successful leaders solicit feedback and drop the ‘know it all’ façade by Barry Banther There are five simple words that can spell doom for a leader — “If I had only known!” These are the words a person utters right after a major client cancels a contract, a customer stops ordering or an error occurs that will cost the business owner thousands out of his own pocket. That’s why the best leaders and the most competent managers thrive on employee feedback! So why don’t more of us go out of our way to encourage quick and candid feedback? Our first response to this question is typically focused on our team. We aren’t convinced that they really get the big picture, we don’t want them to get distracted from their current work, or we simply don’t value their opinion. But the best trusted advisors say it’s not the leader’s associates but rather the leader’s perspective that is the problem. If a leader isn’t careful, he can begin to believe that he, alone, knows what’s best. No one else could possible have all the necessary information for a decision like he does, and no one has the company’s or the customers’ best interest at heart like he does. And this is the kind of thinking that leads to mediocrity at best and outright failure at worst. Just think about the examples where feedback wasn’t encouraged and the results were troublesome: the Toyota accelerator problem or the rollout of the national healthcare website, for example. In each situation, someone possessed very important information but was not encouraged to share it.

Among the most successful working professionals, there is one constant truth: trust between leaders and their associates is built upon a transparency that reflects a freedom to speak and to be heard. A corporate culture of harm, where listening to employees isn’t valued, impacts business every day across America. But it takes more than listening to get the kind of feedback an effective leader needs. Many employee surveys report the employees don’t believe their leader is genuinely listening most of the time. How we do we turn that attitude around? How do we create an environment where we are getting consistent and candid feedback? There are three leadership skills that are essential. Without them, a leader will always be working with half-truths and misinformation. With them, that same leader will become proactive, anticipating both challenges and opportunities before everyone else — and that person’s reputation as a leader who develops followers will soar.

Essential Leadership Skills to Encourage Feedback Chances are very good that right now your associates have information you need to hear. Practice these three skills constantly and the trust and feedback you gain could make the difference in your career.

Barry Banther, author of A Leader’s Gift: How to Earn the Right to be Followed, is founder and CEO of Banther Consulting (www.barrybanther.com). With decades of experience as a business leader and corporate executive, he has become a trusted advisor, leadership speaker and trainer for Fortune 100 companies like Pfizer and Rockwell as well as mid-sized to large, family-owned businesses across America.

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STOP, DROP, AND LISTEN When an associate is talking with you, don’t be multitasking. Stop whatever you are doing and listen. A director in a major urban hospital was accused of frequently checking his email and text messages while meeting with his team. He agreed for one week to keep the phone in his pocket or on the desk and look right at his associate and just listen. The results were staggering. Countless team members commented on how much they appreciated his new behavior. But, more importantly, one associate who is usually reticent to share much told him of an impending problem that would have been catastrophic for the hospital. Merely giving his undivided attention proved invaluable to the director’s business.

SUSPEND JUDGMENT Some young managers are often wrong but never in doubt! In fact, many believe that if they don’t act like they have the answer, their employees will lose respect for them. This thought process is backward: Pretending to have all the answers is the chief cause of not being respected. If you are prone to snap judgments and haven’t disciplined your mind to routinely suspend judgment, then you will assess, judge and determine your response without getting all the feedback. And you might be right 75 percent of the time, but the 25 percent of the time that you jumped to a conclusion could cost you your career. When you are getting feedback from a team member, learn to hold back on your first response and make no judgment until you have exhausted your conversation with this associate.

SEARCH DEEPER Rarely will an employee reveal everything to you about something right off the bat. As the leader, it is your job to bring out what the other person is thinking. Suspend judgment and ask questions to search deeper for what the person is trying to convey: How do you mean that? Can you give me an example? Why is this important? How will this affect us? Which do you think will get you more feedback — a statement you make that ends in a period or one that ends in a question mark? Undertaking the most significant reorganization in the company’s history, John F. Smith, CEO and president of General Motors, succeeded in engendering this practice of listening among the management team, and the results were that GM went from near bankruptcy to a profit! Smith concluded, “Good things happen when you pay attention!”

“Feedback” is now considered positive input in evaluating performance. Its origin, however, is in 1920s broadcasting, referring to squawking that followed “feeds” into microphones set at improper volume levels.

People in the photo: Ryan Norris, TCC – Associate, Paul Tuchin, TCC – Vice President, Bo Larson, TCC – Development Manager, Ericka LeMaster - SVP, Commercial Lending, Cullen Mahoney, TCC – Associate, Cathy Thuringer, TCC – Principal, David Martens, Marwest (ARTIS REIT representative),

Trammell Crow/ARTIS REIT

Financed $11.6 million Park Lucero – a 211,000 sf multi-tenant industrial park

Where Experience Meets Opportunity When the leadership team of Trammell Crow/ARTIS REIT needed to secure $11.6 million to finance Park Lucero industrial park, they called on a strategic partner who shares their passion for performance. That partner was Alliance Bank’s Ericka LeMaster, one of the valley’s most respected commercial real estate lenders. Timing matters. No bank is better poised to act quickly and think strategically than the state’s largest locally-owned and headquartered business bank. Put us to the test. Call Ericka LeMaster, SVP, Commercial Real Estate, and experience the Alliance difference.

602.386.5500 AllianceBankofArizona.com A division of Western Alliance Bank. Member FDIC. 09/14