Consumer Trends

The Business News Headlines 26 February 2020

It may have been a different day but Wall Street had much the same result. After a promising open stock fell in afternoon trade. It's the business news headlines for Wednesday thanks for being with us. Today:
The president blames the media for the stock drop;
Airlines are slashing costs;
The government is giving cash to Hong Kong residents;
New technology for landlords that renters may fear;
Ford says trouble is brewing but they can handle it;
The Wall Street Report;
The consumer trend of buying second-hand clothing.
Those stories plus a revisit to a housing story we had six months ago. The challenge is getting people to understand what the Neighborhood Finance Corporation does when it comes to helping many first time home-buyers. Meet Stephanie Preusch the Executive Director of this non-profit organization that not only provides low cost lending but also the extra cash to fix up the house. And...best of all the dollars used to repair the home is part of a forgivable loan. Listen here! 
Thanks for coming by! 

The Business News Headlines 19 February 2020

It's mid-week and the markets bounced back today and no doubt would have gone higher if it wasn't for the Fed suggesting that interest rates are going to stay put for a bit.  Here are the stories for today:
More and more seniors are entering the job market...and what are they doing?
Bottled water is in trouble in more than one state;
Another restaurant chain ignoring child labor laws;
The Wall Street Report
"Friends" continues to make new friends and lots of money.
Those stories plus a Marketing Tip this time about podcasting. What is it about content that really impacts? You will be surprised. Also in this segment I'll offer some equipement tips, social media tips and more.  It's called "Think Before You Podcast" and you can here that...here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 18 February 2020

Investors are back on Wall Street following the Presidents Day Holiday and, well, things didn't go so well. Here are the business news headlines we've got for you today and on YOUR time:
We get the message...we're dependent on China;
Workers in China ain't working;
Not Pot but CBD joints are doing well;
Automakers turning their backs on these buyers;
The Wall Street Report;
The bank says it will cut 35,000 jobs.
Those stories plus Tom Vander Well the President/CEO of Intelligentics joins me to talk about how companies often fail at their customer service and that failure cuts into sales and profits. He says that when a company asks  the right questions things get turned around.  From marketing to operations to accounting consumers are demanding they be heard and when they are...business blossoms. You can hear that conversation here. 
Thanks for listening!

Intelligent Answers to Customer Service Issues with Tom Vander Well

Far too often businesses fail to make the connection between lousy sales and customer service. Here you'll meet Tom Vander Well the President/CEO of Intelligentics a company devoted to helping companies build a better business by making sure the right questions get asked. From marketing to operations to accounting consumers are demanding they be heard and when they are...business blossoms. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 
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The Business News Headlines 17 February 2020

The lingering concern about the coronavirus now has Apple saying it will miss it's revenue forecast for the March quarter and we'll share why. It's the business news headlines for Monday the 17th of February, President's Day so the markets are closed. Today we've got these stories:
Apple and revenue;
GM leaving three countries;
Another retail company files Chapter 11;
We've got a milk story;
Global markets were up today;
Tesla told to stop construction in Germany;
China is, literally, laundering its money;
The high cost of a Tweet.
Those stories plus Laura Kinnard joins me to chat it up about business events in the Greater Des Moines Metro and she's got quite a list.  Laura has the business events blog DMBizMixer.com and teaches at Drake University as well as the Des Moines Area Community College. PLUS she is the primary at The Runway Innovation and Events Studio at Southridge. Click here for that conversation. 
Thanks for listening. 
 

The Business News Headlines 13 February 2020

If you are a regular listener or even if you've checked in a couple of times over the past two weeks you know that we've wondered how long investors would choose to ignore the economic impact of the coronavirus. That story and more:
The prices of phones are...going up, way up;
That Microsoft / U.S. Defence Department deal? On hold;
A major newspaper company files for bankruptcy;
What's really killing retail? Some thoughts;
The Wall Street Report;
Mental health issues treated differently at school vs. work.
Those stories plus you'll meet Liz Cooney a new learning specialist at Tero International. If that name sounds familiar to those of you in Central Iowa...it should. You can here that conversation here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 11 February 2020

What goes up must come down and that's what happened today on Wall Street as investors still don't know what to make about the coronavirus. In the business news today:
Surging household debt and the economy;
Farmers vs. Trucking;
Pot may not be the "cash cow";
The Sprint/T-Mobile Deal;
What media tops consumers choice...it might surprise you.
Those stories PLUS a two-part interview with Cal Woods who is seeking the nomination to run for the U.S. Senate to represent the State of Iowa.
Here is Part One with Cal Woods
Here is Part Two with Cal.
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 16 January 2020

It was another stunning day on Wall Street and we'll give you the details as to why. Greetings from Maricopa, Arizona as we spend time here on assignment.  Some interesting stories we've dug up and we'll be getting those to you in the coming week. In the news today:
The S&P 500 closed above 3,300 for this first time...why?
Missing Money in Mexico;
Harry and Megan good for the Canadian brand;
Bose is giving up on brick and mortar;
The Market Report;
Men and Botox...it's a thing.
Those stories plus... 
It's taken us nearly a year to get this interview with entrepreneur Kelsi Ziemann. Why? Because she has been a very busy woman. Her business, Kelsi Ziemann Artistry is where she, and her staff, transform women with some amazing makeup work and teach them the tips to help them look their best everyday. Then she recently started KZA Cosmetics (Site under construction but where you can sign up to get the latest.) where she sells products from makeup to some makeup hardware. We talk all about it in this segment. Listen here. 

The Business News Headlines 9 January 2020

It was a record setting day on Wall Street and we'll get to those numbers in just a bit but first here are the top business news stories from today:
10,000 people applied for a job that pays...zero;
But, if you wanna get paid Taco Bell has a sweet deal;
Trucking Industry = Trouble;
Department Store Industry = Trouble;
The Dairy Industry = Trouble (sort of a downer huh?);
The Wall Street Report and troubling news from Iran;
Environmental impacts studies?  Maybe.
Those stories plus we'll offer up one of the most listened to interviews from all of 2019. You seemed to really enjoy this short piece featuring Peter Stockdale from The Audible Farm Podcast. Peter and I sat down and talked podcasting and how much fun he's having entertaining thousands through his show.  Here is that conversation.
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News 19 December 2019

Even with the impeachment vote in the U.S. House of Representatives business barely noticed. It's the business news headlines for Thursday the 19th of December, thanks for being here.  In the news:
Walmart and "high-end" booze;
New retirement plans on the horizon;
Oh oh...beef prices headed up;
Starbucks & Sick Leave;
Another Obamacare decision to impact 2020;
The Wall Street Report;
$1.7 million in questionable payments...think Iowa;
Uber slapped with a $4.4 million fine.
Those stories plus a conversation about the restaurant business with Kathleen McGuire the wife and business partner of Chef Jacob Demars who has brought a new eatery to the Greater Des Moines Metro. R I Restaurant is in our Small Business Spotlight and you get to meet Kathleen here.
Thanks for listening!