Human Resources

The Business News Headlines 9 September 2021

You've heard of the "Carrot or the Stick" approach right?  Well, it looks like we've run out of carrots and the government as well as corporations are taking the stick approach to getting a vaccination.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Yesterday it was anti-vax stuff today it's college;
Some new vaccine mandate orders;
United Airlines is also getting tough;
Taco Bell wants your empty sauce packets;
Talking pay and bonuses at Walmart;
Corporate spending is up but not on what you might think;
The Wall Street Report;
Not all cities rank the same when it comes to remote work.
Thanks for being here!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.
 

The Business News Headlines 8 September 2021

Grateful to be back with you again today.  September has been, traditionally, a lousy month for the stock market...and we may be seeing that happening yet again. Here are the business news headlines and stick around for the conversation about jobs, workers and the economy with Iowa State University Economist Dave Swenson. But first the news:
COVID misinformation being sold where?
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is asking questions;
Sen. Ted Cruz says, "Uhm, get a job!"
Some pilots have concerns about their job;
The "September Curse" is it real?
It could be a "Financial Armageddon";
So, that EV and 2035...hmmmm;
The Wall Street Report;
Working past age 60? Maybe not.
Those stories and as promised a conversation about ending unemployment benefits, workers, the economy, the labor participation rate, what employers need to better understand and more.  My guest is Iowa State Economist Dave Swenson and he's got some answers to, "Where have all the workers gone?"  To listen click here.
Thanks for coming by!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.

Business News & Bruce Tretter from Breitz! 7 September 2021

Feels like a Monday for many of us...right? Welcome to the business news headlines for Tuesday the 7th of September. Our host, Michael Libbie, has the day off so we're trying something a bit different. Rather than voicing the stories we're delivering the top business news in written form. Michael will be back tomorrow. And, make sure you listen in to our business interview featuring Bruce Tretter from Breitz active wear that let's you be seen.  Here's what we have for you:
The Housing Market - When the pandemic was in full swing more than 7 million homeowners were in a program of forbearance which allowed them to pause their mortgage payments. That number is now down to 1.7 million borrowers. Fortune in reporting that  The Biden-Harris administration has made it clear there are no plans for an extension which is set to lapse on 30 September.  Borrowers won’t all get removed at once, instead they’ll be phased out over a period of several months. We've reported in the past how the lack of homes for sale has impacted pricing. Should even one-half of borrowers decide to sell, rather than catch up on their payments that would mean hundreds of thousands of homes would be on the market and that could drop prices. Stay tuned.
Americans & Canada - Crossing data shows that travel to Canada by American businesses and tourists has dropped. The reason? Stiff restrictions for entry into Canada. Business Insider is reporting that Vaccinated American citizens looking to travel north need a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours from a flight's scheduled departure or arrival at a land border crossing. Travelers that have recently recovered from COVID-19 can show a positive test from between 14 and 180 days prior to entry.  And before arriving in Canada - whether by air, land, or sea - travelers must have completed an online form called "ArriveCan." Its requirements include providing an address in Canada at which visitors could quarantine should they test positive and providing the exact dates of a traveler's vaccination. So, yes, visits north have dropped.
But, It's Good for Business -  Mike Lindell the "My Pillow Guy" who is being sued by Dominion Voting Systems says telling lies about the 2020 election and that President Trump really won but Dominion switched votes is, wait for it, good for business. Salon is reporting that he said business is so good he has had to hire 200 more workers.  So, it's a jobs program?
Wall Street - The day after Labor Day was not a good day for the markets. The Dow tanked by 269 points to settle at 35,100 while the S&P 500 lost 15 points ending the trade at 4,520. The Nasdaq outperformed picking up 10 points (and change) to finish at 15,374 which is a new record close.  The weak jobs report and fears of rising COVID cases kept Wall Street in check.
Open Houses - They were once the prime way to get people into houses for sale...and nosey neighbors could also come by for a peek. But COVID has changed that age-old way of putting buyers and sellers together. Realtors are now turning to high-tech ways to show off homes from virtual tours  to live video tours where potential buyers can communicate directly with the realtor. 
$100,000 Sign On Bonuses - Not long ago we shared the story about some trucking firms giving out $50,000 sign on bonuses. That was so...yesterday. Market Watch is reporting that according to research firm Global Data Sign-on bonus have increased across all sectors by 454%, rising to 57,123 advertised positions in August 2021 from 10,312 in August 2020.  Data says the health-care field has the most expensive bonus offers. An advertisement for a “physician of neurology multiple sclerosis” and also for a “general dentist” last month both had a sign-on bonus of up to $100,000. 
Returning to the Office - How about next year? Uber is the latest company to push back office time.  The New York Times is reporting more firms are pushing their returns out as far as next September in efforts to keep employees safe and mitigate whiplash from anticipated return dates and further delays. But that’s not stopping everyone — Wall Street is still  "limping ahead  with plans to bring back more bank employees this week.
For the Interview - Here you'll meet entrepreneur Bruce Tretter who several years ago started "Gotta Eat, Can't Cook". It was all about simple ways to make food and he did it with books and video.  Fast forward several years and he has recently launched Breitz a company that produces high quality cycling and running gear.  He has married social distancing with colorful bright gear...pushing a "six foot" distance to keep runners and cyclists safe.  Here he visits with Michael at an event earlier in the week.  You should know that while Michael and Bruce have been friends for well over a decade this is a first time...face to face meeting.  Enjoy.
Thanks for reading and for listening! Michael will be back in studio tomorrow.  Have a great evening! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Business News Headlines 3 September 2021

One word could describe this morning's Labor Department report on jobs created in august and we'll start our show with that story...and make sure you stick around for the fun stuff with Jeff Pitts as we chat it up about a host of things from People Magazine to Parade Magazine and...oh yeah..."Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro. But, first the news:
In a word the August Jobs Report was...
A muted day on Wall Street;
President Biden on the economy and Delta;
Elon Musk and Texas Politics;
Ghost Kitchens and Walmart in the news;
The IRS and emails;
Uber, Lyft and...Texas;
Barge Traffic, Harvest and Louisiana;
The Wall Street Report;
It's "The Great Wait" and it's expensive.
OK, then!  Time to enjoy "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro as Jeff Pitts and I riff about a whole host of things. Sure we've got music, sports, swords, knights, farmers markets but you'll also get a dose of "famous people who we don't know" and the weird direction Parade Magazine took, favorite celebs and more.  To listen to all of that, just click here!
 

The Business News Headlines 2 September 2021

Just ahead of my conversation with Steven Wilson about medical cannabis and some things you may have missed we've got the business news headlines and here's what we've got for you today:
The FTC, McDonald's and Ice Creme;
GM halting more production lines;
Ford had a lousy August and why;
The August Jobs Number? We've got a guess;
Walmart to raise wages...again;
Gun sales are up but...there is a but;
What again? A toilet paper shortage;
The Wall Street Report;
Should you message the hiring manager?
In for the interview it's returning guest Steven Wilson the dispensary manager for MedPharm who sits down to give us the latest and, perhaps, where all of this may go someday.  Learn more about Iowa's Newest Crop...to listen just click here.
Thanks for listening.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.

The Business News Headlines 31 August 2021

It's the final day of August 2021...where did THAT summer go?  Coming up, right after the news headlines you'll meet shooting instructor Amanda Robinson and her story about guns, gun rights, safety, gear and more.  But first:
The Pearl Milling Company and branding;
Home prices rise yet again;
But it's worse in Canada;
Microsoft coming out with Windows 11;
Supply Chain, COVID19 and Dollar Tree;
The Wall Street Report;
Getting a tech job with...a little help.
Those stories plus my conversation with Amanda Robinson and her journey from attorney to firearms instructor for Crossroads Shooting Sports and how she works with women to help them better understand the world of gun ownership and the responsibilities that come with it.  To hear that conversation, click here. 
Thanks for listening.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.

The Business News Headlines 25 August 2021

We're already done with Wednesday!  Throwback Thursday tomorrow...just a "heads up". Speaking of heads up here's what we've got for you today in the business news headlines:
Troubling news from the airline industry;
An international company pulls the plug on travel;
Backorders, workers and the virus;
Ford says absenteeism there hits 20% and why;
Salesforce says, business is good...very good;
The 5 fastest shrinking metros in the U.S.;
What EV beat Tesla in mileage...we'll share;
"The Tesla Cybertruck will be a disaster" who said it?
 The Wall Street Report;
Working from home a "mental toll"?
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.
 

The Business News Headlines 24 August 2021

Just a click away you'll learn more about "The Joker" and we ain't talking Batman. The world of $20,000 sign on bonuses, no really.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The Joker is back android users;
The Mouse and Target Stores;
Germany weighs in on semiconductors;
Can your employer demand you get the jab;
We know where you can get a mega sign-on bonus;
The eyeglass business must be really good;
The Wall Street Report;
Tips on finding the job you will...love.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.
 
 

The Business News Headlines 23 August 2021

The Great Iowa State Fair is over...can we all get back to work again?  Hey, if you are on Twitter know that you can follow us all day, every day @IOB_NewsHour and thanks in advance.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Ford just made a big announcement;
Shipping troubles getting worse;
The impact on the Holiday Season;
We've got some Federal Reserve news;
The grocery store making their own Lunchables and why;
Southwest Airline pilots threaten to picket;
The FDA gave approval to the Pfizer vaccine, now what;
The Wall Street Report;
Would you, honestly work for...you?
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.
 

The Business News Headlines 19 August 2021

It is the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines and it's a Throwback Thursday where you can check out our Twitter Stream for some shots from years back. Head to @IOB_NewsHour.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Cutting family ties over vaccinations;
More "Chip News"...chips people!
Winnebago: "Hello bright lights big city";
EV shares took a beating today and why;
Putting more $ into retirement accounts...a trend;
The typical Home Depot customer is...
The Wall Street Report;
New unemployment claims are down big time;
"Experience you got...experience?" Newbies and jobs. 
Those stories plus a fascinating conversation with entrepreneur Nick Carter who comes from a multi-generational farm family.  He has created a way for farmers to get their diversified crops and critters to tables. Market Wagon is now in 15 states and growing...and they even have eight "foragers" who spend their days looking for farmer partners. To hear that story just click here!
Thanks for listening! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon 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.