Iowa Business Report

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Learning doesn't stop when one gets a diploma. Hear about three educational programs sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation designed to help develop Iowa's workforce and leaders.

The new USMCA will soon be in place, but what specifically will it do to help Iowa manufacturing and agribusiness?

In the Business Profile segment, we hear about a company that was founded out of a need to help other businesses be more efficient.

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

Women Lead Change is an organization dedicated to the development, advancement and promotion of women, their organizations, and to impacting the economy and future workforce. WLC is the premier leadership organization for women, offering comprehensive leadership resources including events featuring prominent speakers, networking opportunities, public/private initiatives like the EPIC Corporate Challenge and other important services to advance women’s leadership and impact the future workforce. Tiffany O'Donnell is CEO of Women Lead Change; she spoke with Jeff Stein of the Iowa Business Report in the WLC offices in downtown Cedar Rapids on February 3, 2020.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Businesses do better when there are multiple voices around the table. Hear about one organization designed to enhance the role of women leaders in the workforce.

The Iowa Business Council released its 2020 Iowa's Competitive Dashboard data this week.

In the Business Profile segment, we hear about an entity that has been growing with its members--literally--for a full century.

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

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

We'll hear about efforts by the Iowa Secretary of State's office to streamline filing requirements for businesses operating in the state.

The economic impact of the Iowa Caucuses on the state is sizeable and broad.

In the Business Profile segment, we hear about a third-generation Iowa company that makes the bins for storing Iowa's bumper crops.

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

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

We'll hear about the first quarter 2020 survey of Iowa Association of Business and Industry members concerning the economic outlook regarding sales and staffing levels.

The head of the National Association of Manufacturers delivered his annual "State of Manufacturing" address in Iowa this past week.

In the Business Profile segment, we hear about a company that began in the owner's home in Earlham, and now has the word "international" in its name.

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

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 first quarter of 2020 are discussed with Iowa ABI president Mike Ralston. The conversation took place in Des Moines in December 2019, shortly after the survey results were released; and since at the time USMCA was finally making its way through the U.S. House, that topic is also discussed.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

National financial journalist Jordan Goodman tells us what to expect in business and the economy in 2020.

We'll hear from state lawmakers about how they spend most of their evenings in Des Moines.

In the Business Profile segment, we learn about United Equipment Accessories of Waverly, which started because the founder couldn't find a reliable supplier for a part he needed.

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

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

The Iowa Legislature returns to work this week; we discuss the upcoming session and the legislative process with two public policy professionals.

A new Waterloo city ordinance limiting information an employee can seek from a job applicant has been challenged in the Iowa District Court.

In the Business Profile segment, we learn about Interpower Corporation of Oskaloosa, which began 45 years ago in California and moved to Iowa in order to reach its fullest potential.

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

The role of public policy professionals during a state legislative session is discussed in this podcast from the Iowa Business Report radio program. Jeff Stein talks with two members of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry team who work daily on public policy issues: Nicole Crain, executive vice president, and J.D. Davis, vice president for policy. The conversation took place in Des Moines in December 2019.

On this edition of the Iowa Business Report:

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss explains how Iowa's economy is different from that of neighboring states.

The United States/Canada/Mexico Agreement (USMCA) has now passed the House, and Iowa U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley's finance committee will begin mark ups on the bill next week.

In the Business Profile segment, we learn about Pella's Vermeer Corporation, which started with a single invention and has grown to become a third-generation employer of 3,000 across the globe.

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