The Opening Bell

On August 26th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: July Durable Goods Orders are out today (a slight dip is expected) Chicago Federal Reserve National Activity Index is out today Flexsteel Industries, Cancer Genetics Inc & ToughBuilt Industries all report earnings today

For some, a flight from New York to California is a long haul flight, but Brian Sumers (Sr. Aviation Business Editor at Skift.com) told Steve Grzanich a 20 hour flight is now the longest offered to consumers. Steve Grzanich learned of the new Qantas offering that was a record breaking flight, and also the new upgrades United Airlines is making to their first class cabins.    

On August 23rd, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: The report on new home sales for July is out today The Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, is expected to speak at the Jackson Hole symposium this weekend Foot Locker, Red Robin, The Buckle and others report earnings today

The healthcare industry is difficult to navigate since it can change every few years. Thankfully Bret McKitrick (SVP & Sr. HR Consultant at Associated Benefits and Risk Consulting – Part of Associated Bank) joined Steve Grzanich for the weekly Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation and checked in on the main HR concerns in the world right now such as mental health treatments and recreational weed use outside of the office. (At 20:26) Will Scott (Author of The Culture Fix: From Core […]

The healthcare industry is constantly in flux, so understanding it from a consumer standpoint can be incredibly difficult. Steve Grzanich sat down with Bret McKitrick (SVP & Sr. HR Consultant at Associated Benefits and Risk Consulting – Part of Associated Bank) to discuss the main areas of focus in the HR world such as mental health being covered by employee healthcare programs, marijuana usage outside of work, and coverage changes for Illinoisans on this week’s Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation. […]

On August 22nd, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: First time claims for unemployment benefits is out today The Jackson Hole Economic Policy Meeting begins today EIA Natural Gas Report and Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index Dicks Sporting Goods, Gap, HP & Salesforce all report earnings today

Uncertainty in the workplace is common, but many employees can become quite insecure about it. Steve Grzanich talked with Kathryn Vasel (Reporter at CNN Business covering Careers and the Workplace) with some assistance on how to look competent when workers might find themselves in uncharted territories.  Michelle Reisdorf (Regional Vice President of Robert Half Chicago) then recapped the recent Illinois Jobs Report that showed the state is falling in line with the rest of the U.S. jobs climate, but the […]

The Illinois Jobs Report was released last week and Michelle Reisdorf (Regional Vice President of Robert Half Chicago) joined Steve Grzanich to recapped the findings to show the state is in line with the rest of the job climate. 46% of employees are planning on looking for a new job this year and the two discussed what managers can do to help retain those employees so they don’t need to find a new employee to fill a role.  

On August 21st, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: Existing Home Sales for July are out today (experts are expecting a gain over June) The Federal Reserve meeting minutes for July are released today Target and Lowes both report earnings by the end of the day

In major cities, lights are on almost 24/7. People are up at all hours of the day, businesses are open later and Aaron Schirmer (Associate Professor of Biology at Northeastern Illinois University) explained that these changes are impacting urban wildlife. Steve Grzanich and Aaron recapped a recent study performed by Northeastern Illinois University, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and Lafayette College. Doug Roth (Founder and CEO of Playground Hospitality) then checked in to discuss the top pet peeves restaurants have with […]