Iowa Business Podcast
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Gratitude is a Critical Element in Effective Leadership
There’s nothing like a personal crisis to shake a person to their core. At 49, faced with a stage 3 cancer diagnosis, Matt Strawn was forced to see life through a different lens; One of gratitude that made it’s way to all of the stakeholders within his circle. As the Iowa Lottery’s third CEO in…
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Same Day Pay will be the Norm Soon for All Employers
Today’s workforce is accustomed to immediate gratification. I order something on Amazon and if I have to wait 48 hours, I’m disappointed. I swipe right or left and my romantic destiny is in play. With companies like Walmart, Hy-Vee and McDonald’s offering same-day pay, it may seem difficult for local, independently owned companies to compete.…
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Work-Based Learning Act Designed to Better Meet Needs of Employers
President of the Senate, Amy Sinclair visits the studio to discuss Senate File 2411 expanding Iowa’s Workplace Learning Initiatives. Major changes include allowing students to receive credits over the summer month and a $30,000,000 workforce opportunity fund administered by Iowa Workforce Development to be used for equipment, instructional materials, stipends and other training-related costs. The…
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RCS Millwork: Where Creativity Meets Craftsmanship
In the heartland of Iowa, the story of RCS Millwork unfolds as a tale of transformation, led by the dynamic duo of Joe Keller and his father. Rooted in a tradition that spans generations, Joe, the second-generation leader of RCS Millwork, embodies a legacy of craftsmanship that began when he could barely grasp a hammer.…
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At Clow Valve, People are in their seats, Now, TRACTION!
Clow Valve, after almost 250 years is more productive and innovative than ever. After a focused effort on culture, getting the right people in the right seats, Mark Willet and his team decided they needed to rally around a cohesive vision to get everyone aligned on vision. A conversation with Rob Taylor, an Entrepreneurial Operating…
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Iowa employers are rallying to improve national position.
Joe Murphy, CEO of the Iowa Business Council, serves Iowa’s largest employers. The IBC represents $10 Billion of Iowa’s $240 Billion in revenues and Murphy discusses where Iowa ranks competitively. The Competitiveness Dashboard is an amazing tool used to inform policy makers to help the state become even more competitive—so many valuable tidbits. Not only…
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Secretary of Ag Discusses Manufacturing’s Impact On Agriculture
Iowans often believe that the economy in our state is driven solely by agriculture. Interestingly, it is the confluence of manufacturing and agriculture that is the true driving force behind our thriving economy. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, discusses the synergies between departments at the state that are working together for greatness to recruit, retain…
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Mastering Union Relations: Strategies with a HR PhD
Pro-union or not, it’s great to have a resource that can manage the conversations, communicate effectively without bias and a full understanding of all the nuances necessary. While Iowa is a “right to work” state, several unions operate here productively and effectively. Terry Welker, PhD, Executive Coach and all-around HR guru, offers his insights on…
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Ag Express – Exponential Growth through Connecting Brands, Devices, and Employees
Join Leisa as she explores the world of wire harnesses with Jim Steinke, Chief Growth Officer, and Kadee Miller, Chief HR Officer, from Ag Express. Discover how Ag Express is bridging the gap between disparate brands and devices, regardless of size, gauges, connectors, or complexity, to simplify life for their customers while positioning themselves for…
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Kreg – A Lesson in Leading through Change
In the wise words of Heraclitus, a Greek Philosopher from 2500 years ago: “There is nothing permanent except change.” Over the past five years, Kreg has experienced its fair share of change, and finally, all pieces are falling into place. Leisa sits down with Karee Vernon, Kreg’s VP of HR, to delve into navigating these…