The Opening Bell

On December 13th, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The Commerce Department releases the consumer price index  for November later today The Federal Reserve announces their decision on raising interest rates    

The energy industry is in a constant state of flux these days as the search for sustainability deepens. Steve chatted with Jeff Chamberlain (CEO of Volta Energy Technologies) to discuss the new Argonne National Laboratory backed venture that is Volta Energy and how batteries are pushing this race towards a cleaner and more sustainable world. Mert Iseri (CEO of SwipeSense) then provided an update from the world of healthcare technology as his initial mission to make hospitals cleaner has developed […]

On December 6th, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Payroll Processor ADP reports on the number of jobs private employers added in November Labor Department reports on Q3 productivity data The Lobbying Trade Group, Airlines for America releases it’s Winter Holiday Travel Forecast Forbes releases the top earning musicians for 2017  

Connecting online can be easy, but finding a real connection that lasts takes a little more practice. Steve discussed the challenges that young and and veteran professionals experience outside of the business world that translate into genuine relationships. Andrew Machota (CEO of New Town Connection & Author of “Friend Request Accepted: Connecting in a Disconnected World”) shared the details behind what his is doing to help bridge this gap. Dan Shelley (Executive Director of the Radio Television Digital News Association) […]

On December 1st, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Today we will receive the construction spending numbers for November Auto Sales numbers for Novemember are released The Institute For Supply Management releases it’s latest report today as well The Soda Tax is off the books for in Illinois    

The weekly Associated Bank Thought Leader conversations have been going on for a little over a year, and today, Steve wishes Breck Hanson (Vice Chairman and Former Head of Commercial Real Estate as Associated Bank) a farewell as he plans to retire at the end of the year. As his last official thought leader conversation, the two reflected on the biggest changes to the banking industry over the years and what Breck hopes to see in the coming years as […]

On November 30th, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The US Department of Labor reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week The Commerce Department issues its October report on consumer spending Freddie Mac reports on this week’s average mortgage rates    

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation was shifted to the day before, but that didn’t stop Steve Grzanich and Bret McKitrick (SVP & Sr. Human Resources Consultant at Associated Benefits – Part of Associated Bank) from sitting down to discuss the two of the most concerning subjects in the country – healthcare benefits and tax reform. The two touched on the potential options that could be resolved once the Thanksgiving break concludes, and what companies […]

On November 21st, 2017 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The Existing Home Sales Report will be released from the National Association of Realtors Chicago Fed National Activity Index is out later today Campbell’s Soup, Hormel Foods, Lowes Corp, and Signet Jewlers all report earnings today    

With Black Friday on the horizon, consumers must remember that Small Business Saturday is right after that. Steve Grzanich is out for the holidays, so Dave Plier filled in and discussed the upcoming annual retail appreciate holiday with Robert “Bo” Steiner (Illinois District Director at the Small Business Administration). Dave then looked ahead to Giving Tuesday (November 28th) and told listeners about a great resource with Paul Morello (Public Relations at the Greater Chicago Food Depository) to help Chicagoans find […]