Iowa Business Report

Iowa Workforce Development has provided information and assistance to a variety of Iowa businesses as they rebuild in the wake of the global pandemic. Ryan West, deputy director of IWD, talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on October 21, 2020.      

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Iowa manufacturers have undergone a multi-stage process this year...adapting to and recovering from the pandemic. Mike Ralston of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry talks about the seven stages of the process. Information on how today's hybrid work environment impacts the information technology industry. In this week's "Busines...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Creighton University economist Dr. Ernie Goss shares insight on what can we expect economically in the next four years, depending on who is in the White House. Small businesses say they are ready to take advantage of a second round of COVID-related Paycheck Protection Program stimulus. In this week's "Business Profile", we talk with Afton...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The U.S. Secretary of Education tells us what she learned when she visited some of Iowa's unique apprenticeship and training programs. Record high economic numbers show up in one survey of Mid-American businesses. In this week's "Business Profile", we talk with Kevin Kinzler of Kinzler Construction Services about a business that star...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Over the past decade, the Winneshiek Energy District has helped create hundreds of local jobs and attract millions of investment dollars, all while saving energy costs. Despite the pandemic, it's been a record year of investment by the U.S.D.A. Rural Development office, as Iowa state director Grant Menke tells us. In this week's "Business...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The pandemic devastated the global economy, but new government funding and programs are helping with retraining and job placement. Ryan West, deputy director of Iowa Workforce Development, gives us details. And some 110,000 Iowans have returned to work since the early part of the pandemic, making Iowa's unemployment rate again among the lowest in t...

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on small business in this country has been nothing short of devastating...and recovery of that segment is vital to American economic resurgence. Andi Gray is president of Strategy Leaders, a consulting firm that works with small businesses. Gray talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on September 24, 2020.     

The third quarter survey of Iowa Business Council members shows a significant increase in positive economic sentiment for the next six months. IBC executive director Joe Murphy talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on October 7, 2020.  

The way we educate and train leaders in a business is actually done quite poorly, with outmoded ideas and delays in actually providing education at all. Jennifer Mackin is author of "Leaders Deserve Better: A Leadership Development Revolution". Mackin talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on September 24, 2020.      

Each week, the Iowa Business Report radio program features a Business Profile segment, introducing listeners to an Iowa-based company or business. In this extended IBR Business Profile, we meet April Samp, co-owner of Sylvan Learning of Iowa  about how the well-known company has adapted and expanded its services in the wake of "learning from home" protocols.  She spoke with Jeff Stein fo...

Each week, the Iowa Business Report radio program features a Business Profile segment, introducing listeners to an Iowa-based company or business. In this extended IBR Business Profile, we meet Mike Chapman of Culture House Books , now based in Newton. We discuss how the process of writing and publishing books has changed over time. Chapman is the author of more than 30 books, many of which were p...

Each week, the Iowa Business Report radio program features a Business Profile segment, introducing listeners to an Iowa-based company or business. In this extended IBR Business Profile, we meet Scott DeMuth of SERVPRO of Black Hawk County , which has established a strong personal connection with both clients and employees.  He spoke with Jeff Stein for Iowa Business Report program number 20-39 in...

Building a strong workforce starts with a foundation of healthy workers. Peter Komendowski is president of the Partnership for a Heathy Iowa, which was founded with the support of a broad base of Iowa entities, including business groups. Komendowski talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on September 1, 2020.    

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry surveys its members each quarter about anticipated sales, hiring levels, and issues facing business. The results of the survey for the fourth quarter of 2020, and Iowa's economic/business recovery, are the topics for this conversation between Iowa ABI president Mike Ralston and Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report. The conversation took place vi...

Failure to communicate clearly can cost businesses time and money. This breakdown between entities within a workplace can be prevented with proactivity, according to Bill Higgs, author of "Culture Code Champions". Higgs talked with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on September 23, 2020.    

 On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Leadership training and development is not done well, which can limit the potential for businesses. U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley is not optimistic about the chances of additional COVID stimulus before the election. In this week's "Business Profile", we talk with Jack Hasken of Jackson Manufacturing in Maquoketa. For more, go to totallyiowa...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The latest quarterly survey of Iowa Business Council members shows optimism for the next three to six months. Despite the pandemic, the Waterloo Career Center has added four new programs of study for its high school students. In this week's "Business Profile", we talk with Mary Andringa of Vermeer Corporation about family business success...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: The impact of small business on the nation's economy cannot be overstated, according to consultant Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders. A survey says Iowa ranks among the nation's best in terms of pay. In this week's "Business Profile", Jackson Kimle tells how his Midland Co. plans to provide fresh seafood to customers from a producti...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: A lot of businesses waste time and money because of unrealistic expectations and a lack of understanding about what can and cannot be accomplished. The pandemic has led to greater emphasis on encouraging employee mental health. In this week's "Business Profile", Scott Demuth of Servpro of Black Hawk County explains how his company culture...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Mike Ralston of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry shares information from their member survey concerning the outlook for the fourth quarter. Tiffany O'Donnell of Women Lead Change with information on the impact of the pandemic on women in the workforce. In this week's "Business Profile", author Mike Chapman of Culture Hou...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Peter Komendowski of the Partnership for A Healthy Iowa discusses his agency's efforts to teach critical thinking skills to young people to better prepare them for productive personal and business lives. Former U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner tells us why Congress needs to act to protect multi-employer pensions, so Iowa workers do not lose b...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a greater role in advancing manufacturing efficiently. A new scorecard gives high marks for Iowa's manufacturing climate. In this week's "Business Profile", Jenny Steffensmeier of Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing talks about the Pilot Grove-based company founded by her late husband. Fo...

The use of "artificial intelligence" is expanding across a variety of businesses, including within advanced manufacturing. Matthew Lamons of The Intelligence Factory will be the morning general session presenter at the annual Advanced Manufacturing Conference sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry; the event will be held virtually on September 30. Lamons talked with J...

Each week, the Iowa Business Report radio program features a Business Profile segment, introducing listeners to an Iowa-based company or business. In this extended IBR Business Profile, we meet Jenny Steffensmeier of Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing , a company founded by her late husband nearly four decades ago in Pilot Grove, in Lee County.  She spoke with Jeff Stein for Iowa Business Rep...

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report: A new survey documents exactly how much economic loss Iowa has absorbed due to the pandemic...and what that may mean for public policy in the state. The status of the new USMCA will be discussed at a virtual panel discussion next week, and more Iowans are saving money in the bank than in the recent past. In this week's "Business Profile",...