The Opening Bell

Last week was the the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Restaurant Association and Sam Toia (President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association) feels confident about the path Illinois continues to trail blaze in the restaurant world. Steve Grzanich and Sam recapped some of the areas of concern at the meeting last week and touched on the changes to the minimum wage changes that are likely to come to the restaurant industry along with a few other issues that are […]

The technology that has helped make cars safer over the years has grown exponentially, but what have we done to make pedestrians safer. Steve Grzanich discussed the recent report that came out of Consumer Reports with Jeff Plungis (Lead Automotive Investigative Reporter at Consumer Reports) about the tests that are being done to better pedestrian safety. Sam Toia (President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association) then looked back on the leaps and bounds the restaurant scene has made in […]

On March 5th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The Census Bureau shares the New Home Sales Report this morning The Institute for Supply Management publishes their Non-Manufacturing Index Target, Kohl’s and ROSS report earnings today

It’s no secret that we spend a monumental amount of money, energy, and love for our pets. However, for many that started largely because of the Anti-Cruelty Society nearly 120 years ago. Steve Grzanich sat down with Tracy Elliott (President of The Anti-Cruelty Society) to learn about the rich Chicago history of the company, how pets play an important role in our lives, and how social media helps the business. Dale Buss (Contributor at Forbes, Wall street Journal, Chief Executive […]

In the words of Steve Grzanich , “Fiat-Chrysler giveth, and they taketh away”. Steve checked in with Dale Buss (Contributor at Forbes, Wall street Journal, Chief Executive Magazine and others) after news of Fiat-Chrysler Group adjusting shifts at their Belvidere based auto plant, while they plan on opening a new plant in Detroit. They touched on the ebb and flow of the traditional motor industry and the trailblazing electric vehicle story that develops every day.  

On March 4th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Construction Spending figures for December are out this morning Salesforce reports earnings today with earnings tomorrow from Target, Kohl’s and Ross

The thriving business scene here in Chicago has helped put many on the map but one of the other industries that has thrived is the commercial real estate scene. Steve Grzanich dove into the Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation with Greg Warsek (SVP and Illinois Market Manager for the Commercial Real Estate Division at Associated Bank) to learn about how landlords are keeping up with trends by large office space renovations, who is bringing this money into the market and […]

A large portion of recent business success in the city of Chicago has brought another industry right along with them – commercial real estate. Steve Grzanich discussed that with this week’s Associated Bank Thought Leader focusing on the shifts and little details of the boom with Greg Warsek (SVP and Illinois Market Manager for the Commercial Real Estate Division at Associated Bank). (At 16:00) The shift then turned to the political side of business with Mary Wisniewski (Transportation Reporter at […]

On February 28th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Preliminary GDP data for 2018 will be released today A report on monthly filed unemployment benefits is out this morning The Chicago PMI, The EIA Natural Gas Report, The Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Index are all out today AMC Network, Cars.com, J.C. Penny, Marriott Vacations, Dell, Gap, Goldman Sachs, Live Nation, and Nordstrom all report earnings by the end of the day today

Every year, the Mobile World Congress sets the stage for the trends, industry directions, and services for consumers and businesses alike. Steve Grzanich checked in on the MWC 2019 with Elizabeth Shultze (Technology Correspondent at CNBC International) to learn about the skyrocking prices of cell phones, the foldable phone trend, and the constantly talked about 5G compatible devices.