Iowa Business Report

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.    

 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.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org)  

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 succession planning.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

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 production facility in the heart of Iowa.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

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 teaches respect for clients.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

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 House Books discusses how the "business of writing" has changed from when he wrote his first book nearly 50 years ago.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

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 benefits.

In this week's "Business Profile", April Samp, co-owner of Sylvan Learning Centers in Iowa, shares information about expansion of their services in light of more "learning from home" in the wake of the pandemic.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

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.

For more, go to totallyiowa.com and click on the "radio programs" link.   

Presented with support from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org) 

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 Report program number 20-36 via Zoom on September 1, 2020; this podcast contains the full conversation.     

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 Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report via ZOOM on August 31, 2020.