COVID-19 has caused small businesses in all industries to think differently, restructure, and expand new products and services. Is your business facing a unique challenge? Are you trying to pivot? Join Local First Arizona’s Executive Director, Thomas Barr, through this interactive bi-monthly session to talk through strategies to pivot your business. You’ll be able to share unique experiences you are facing and receive feedback from other small businesses across the state.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Marriott University Park (880 E. 2nd St. Tucson, AZ )
Early-bird pricing (valid through September 6)
Member: $80 • Non-Member: $85 • Nonprofit: $80 • Student: $50
Every year, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) recognizes September as Ethics Month. This year, we will feature Keynote Alex Rodriguez, Amazon Best Selling Co-Author and Business Leadership Speaker. He will address the critical role of ethics in every public relations plan and the importance of having a solid Code of Ethics.
For more information and to register click here.
“Is your crisis communications strategy in alignment with your Code of Ethics?” Don’t chance it. Get the facts at the 2019 PRSA Ethics forum.” Alex Rodriguez
Richard Gray, MD, has been appointed CEO of the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Gray is deeply involved in the education of physicians in training, practicing physicians and the public. In addition to being a patient education champion, he’s been recognized as an esteemed educator, including his selection as Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator of the Year in 2013.
Dr. Gray first came to Mayo Clinic in Arizona in 1995 as a surgical intern and completed his residency and a fellowship in surgical oncology.
The Mayo Clinic in Arizona is regularly listed on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” rankings.
– Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs
KOVO Modern Mediterranean, located on the northeast corner of Tatum and Shea boulevards in Phoenix, is now open. KOVO features regional dishes from across Cyprus, Italy, Greece, France, Spain and the Middle East.
In Greek, KOVO means “to carve.” As such, rotisserie meats are displayed in the open kitchen and served in many entrees. A wood-fired oven produces pizzas and other specialties.
The 4,000-square-foot space seats more than 140 and includes a large outdoor patio and wrap-around indoor/outdoor bar. The design features Moroccan-style tiles, rich blue ocean-inspired accents and artistic fixtures throughout.
– Yianni Ioannou, KOVO Modern Mediterranean
It’s easy to make conference calls from almost anywhere. But while they’re convenient, conference calls aren’t the best option for building a relationship.
Such relationships are critical for success in any industry, and are best developed with in-person meetings. Reasons to opt for a face-to-face meeting:
1. Learn more: Deeper, wide-ranging conversations happen in person, not by phone.
2. See non-verbal communications: Assessing participants’ body language relays a wealth of information.
3. Build rapport: Get to know the meeting participants by seeing their office or chatting about non-work topics before or after a meeting.
Fewer cubicles foster more face-to-face interaction between coworkers, right? That’s the thinking behind the trend toward open workspaces, anyway.
A new study, however, throws that idea for a loop. Researchers discovered that removing spatial boundaries significantly decreased live communication.
According to the Royal Society-published study, “In short, rather than prompting increasingly vibrant face-to-face collaboration, open architecture appeared to trigger a natural human response to socially withdraw from coworkers and interact over email and IM.”
Researchers found humans’ desire for privacy plays a big role in productivity, and multiple digital-age factors drive how we communicate.
– Dan Stefano, The Pittsburgh 100
Gwynnie Bee, a women’s size-inclusive rental service, will open a 100,000-square-foot distribution facility located near Buckeye Road and 72nd Avenue in Phoenix on Aug. 20. The facility, automated and with AI technology, will create 150 new jobs over 18 months, including positions as warehouse workers, laundry and cleaning employees and people to help work and run the robots.
This facility will allow the company to provide orders to 11 western states within 24 hours. The new facility, along with a warehouse in Ohio, will allow the company to fulfill 90 percent of customers within 24 hours.
– Alison Bailin, HMA Public Relations
Video testimonials allow for an immediate, human connection with your customers. Here are three reasons why video testimonials will help your business stand out:
Credibility: Videos erase the often-invisible barrier between a business and potential customers, nurturing an atmosphere of trust.
Memorable: 90 percent of information your brain absorbs is visual, and that visual information is processed 60,000 times faster than text. When you see the face of a satisfied customer, you create a bond with the company behind that happy face.
Exposure: Companies using video see 41 percent more web traffic from search than those without video.
– Brad Fleming, The Alaska 100
West Phoenix’s Hickman Family Farms announced a complete brand refresh that includes a new marketing campaign, re-wrapped delivery trucks and packaging.
Cartons and delivery trucks now sport an edgy look alongside phrases like, “Stay Off My Tail Feather” and “To Get Eggs Any Fresher, We’d Have To Give You The Bird.” The company’s logo has similarly been refreshed and the website will also be updated by summer’s end.
The company was founded in 1944 by Nell Hickman. Today, Hickman’s Family Farms is the largest egg producer in the Western United States and run by Nell’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.
– Veronica Garcia, Hickman’s Family Farms
Any organization that wishes to thrive must place a high premium on leadership. I see every day, however, leaders are in short supply. This isn’t a new finding. It’s an age-old lament. As Heraclitus observed:
“Out of every 100 men, 10 shouldn’t even be there, 80 are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but The One. One is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.”
If you want to be a leader, be “The One.” You will attract all the talent you need.
– Mike Wesley, Leadership Expert