DuPage Business Beat

Let’s talk talent. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins three experts to explore how Chicagoland manufacturers are developing and recruiting next-generation workers. How are manufacturers dealing with labor shortages? What can parents do to broaden their kids’ career horizons? And how is one local marketing agency helping make the next generation of “Mavericks”? Find out on the Beat. Special G...

In January 2023, something unprecedented happened in Chicagoland. For the first time, seven Northeastern Illinois counties and the City of Chicago formed a partnership. Now, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is working to drive inclusive development, promote the region’s collective assets, and foster collaboration like never before. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov, President &...

Most Chicagoland residents have heard of Argonne National Laboratory, the DuPage County-based U.S. Department of Energy facility. But what many don’t realize is that Argonne is teaming up with manufacturers to develop groundbreaking projects at-scale, from EV batteries to carbon capture tech. For today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Chris Heckle , Director of the Materials Manufacturi...

In this follow-up to “People-nomics: Part 1”, we continue our exploration of all things labor. Host Greg Bedalov and a pair of economic experts break down a wide range of workforce-related issues, including the rising cost of housing, the aging population, and the endgame of recent inflation. Guests: Matt Finn, CFA, Chief Economist of 1834, a division of Old National Bank Glenn Mazade, SVP, Commer...

Today’s businesses are struggling for one thing: talent. So how did we get here? What factors are influencing the labor market? And how can businesses adapt? The answer: It’s complicated. In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with an economist and a banking expert to discuss all things “People-nomics” – the economics of labor. In the first half of their two-part conversation, Greg &...

When an experienced engineer looks at Chicagoland, what do they see? In this episode, host Greg Bedalov meets with the founder of a prominent engineering firm and professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. Their sweeping conversation covers topics ranging from workplace sustainability and water resources to the EV infrastructure, the engineering workforce, and civic engagement. Guest: Dr. Ch...

Turning a good idea into a real business can be daunting. Between marketing, finance and countless logistical hurdles, it’s hard to know where to start—much less how to build a profitable, sustainable business. In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov introduces listeners to Innovation DuPage (ID), an incubator that provides valuable resources to local startups and small businesses. Greg is joined by...

Digital tools have made it possible to work from anywhere. But offices are still the best places for collaboration and critical for attracting talent. So how are employers adapting? In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov meets with two workplace experts to discuss how modern workplaces are evolving to attract talent, spur collaboration, and accommodate hybrid work styles. From creative design solut...

COVID changed the way millions of people work. Now, its aftershocks are pushing developers and communities across Chicagoland to think creatively about how they use their space. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov meets with two real estate industry experts to discuss the stories behind key trends in employment, industry sectors, the regional GDP, and more. From the ‘amenities race’ to innovative m...