The 2008 Comerica Bank Arizona Companies To Watch was a smashing success. 

Connections were popping like champagne corks all over the room as growing companies came together to celebrate success. 

 A selection of photos taken by ASBA member mark Goldstein of the International Research Center are up on Flickr.

Check out all the connections that were being made at ASBA’s Comerica Bank Arizona Companies To Watch Awards on 11/11/2008.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mg-irc/sets/72157609162238476/

Link: http://www.asba.com

On my way in to the office one morning last week, I tuned in to Darrell Ankarlo on KTAR, who amongst other things, discussed the challenging economy and job cuts here in Arizona. Like most CEOs, I do a lot of reading, surfing the web and listening to news and talk radio so that I have a balanced and current view of what’s happening in the world. Balanced. We hear a lot about balance- balanced reporting, achieving work-life balance, balance, balance, balance.

Unfortunately, I just don’t see balance in the media right now. Don’t get me wrong- I like Ankarlo, and I am genuinely interested in his point of view. But I just cannot sit back anymore, watching and listening to the “gloom and doom” stories on the TV and radio, and reading about it in newspapers and magazines these days. A lot of Arizona businesses are not only surviving in this economy, they are thriving in this economy, experiencing growth and creating new jobs!

I don’t mean to sound like a Pollyanna, our country’s economic struggles are difficult and problematic. It will take time and hard work for our economy to recover and for small businesses to make it through this challenge. But tough times also require business owners and CEOs to get very hands on, get creative, and discover new innovative solutions. It’s what Small Business does best!

Yes, there is inspirational news in Arizona’s small business community- With over 300 great companies nominated, we had our greatest challenge this year in pairing down to 50 awardees for the Comerica Bank Arizona Companies to Watch.  They will be  honored at our awards ceremony on November 11th (http://www.asba.com/programs/az_companies.aspx).  If you need a little positive inspiration - check it out at ASBA.com - tickets are still available. 

The “Success Stories” of successful ASBA members roll in every day, written by business owners who wish to share their tips, achievements and support with other business owners.

So, I issue this challenge to the media- how about a little balance. Gloom and doom sells papers and gets viewers’ attention, but offer both sides of the story. Feature the businesses that are adding jobs, doing great things for our community and experiencing growth. Times are tough but Arizona businesses know how to take a bull by the horns, and create their own good fortune!

Executing your companies mission and strategy takes a team.

How do you find the right people?  How do you keep them?

CEOs… We  read about them, meet them, love them or hate them. 

CEOs (chief executive officers) bear the ultimate responsibility for strategic execution and the success and sustainability of their organizations.   Or in the immortal words of Harry Truman – “The Buck Stops  Here.” 

Common management theory breaks the CEO’s role down as Leader, Visionary, Communicator, Decision Maker, Manager, and Board Developer.  No small task to say the least. 

We can learn a lot about how to grow our business by connecting with successful CEOs, but getting them all together can be a challenge, so ASBA reached out to CEOs of the 2006, 2007, and 2008 classes of Comerica Bank Arizona Companies To Watch to get some insight and some tips.  Each is the leader of a growing second-stage company.  Small businesses with 10 - 100 employees and $1M - $100M in revenue who with their teams are moving up the growth path. 

They will be  blogging in here between now and September 15th to share insights into the mind of a CEO - check back often to see the newest ideas.

Joan Koerber-Walker, CEO ASBA

As a Comerica Bank Arizona Company to Watch, you are a growing second stage company based here in Arizona.  But your customers could be anywhere in the world.

 How important is it for you and your team to be active a leaders in our community?