Human Resources

The Business News Headlines 4 November 2019

It would seem Wall Street likes the "promise" of a possible trade deal with China...the question is...will it happen. It's the Business News Headlines for Monday the 4th of November. In the news today:
Wall Street seems happy today;
Rising home prices have millennials worried;
Apple to donate billions to stave off housing cost;
More Baby Boomers not moving;
Energy storage and Sweden;
Easterbrook is out at McDonald's - Investors not happy;
Japan: A 4 Day Work Week = 40% rise in productivity. 
Those stories plus Laura Kinnard is in with business events in the Greater Des Moines Metro. Use #DMBizEvents to get your listed so we can talk about them. You can hear that conversation here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News & More 30 October 2019

The Fed cut interest rates by a quarter of a percent and at first the markets went..."Meh..." That story and more today:
What caused the "Meh" early today;
What's in a name? Ask Molson Coors;
What health care has to do with lagging wages;
Some new GDP concerns;
So those rising steel prices?  Not so fast;
Beggars Night explained;
Twitter says "NO!" to political advertising.
Those stories and a conversation with Dr. Tom Ahart the Superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools about a vote coming up on Tuesday of next week that will have a major impact on students and facilities. We'll explain how an increase in the tax levy for physical plant won't increase property taxes. THe vote is on the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL. Take a few minutes to learn more. You can hear that conversation here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines & More 28 October 2019

Wall Street had a good day based on earnings that beat estimates and we'll share some of the stories on that today. Also:
Meatless Meat is a BIG thing for Burger King;
Homeowners NOT getting home equity loans;
Google to buy Fitbit?
JP Morgan said to be cutting NYC workforce;
Is your job already obsolete?
The gig economy and a new...gig.
Those stories and our regular feature with Laura Kinnard of Curated Growth, Drake University and DMACC where she teaches entrepreneurship. She's in at the start of each week to share with you business events happening in the Greater Des Moines Metro. Places to learn and places to be seen. You can hear that conversation right here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News & More 25 October 2019

The markets bumped up on the final trading day of the week. We've got the numbers inside for you. In addition we've got these stories:
44 million American's and Student Debt;
Subprime Auto Loans are Defaulting;
One of the largest malls opens but, anybody going;
Our U.S. Budget Deficit...just got bigger;
Productivity and the 25 Hour Work Week;
Recruiters and...Seven Words.
Those stories plus Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine is in for Stuff to DO in the DSM Metro this weekend into next week. To hear that fun stuff, click here. 
Thanks for listening!! 

A Mother Talks About Mental Health

Several weeks ago I met Connie Grunder who has been sharing the story about her son Zach. She attended one of many NAMI Walks and I asked her if she might want to tell her story to you. Mental health and mental health awareness is complicated for many and it has a deep impact on businesses, schools...and of course...families. Here is Zach's Story. And, if you would like Connie to come to your school or business here is the link to NAMI of Iowa. 
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. 
Our Sponsors
AARP-Iowa
National Tractor Parts Dealer Association
Oasis - A Paychex Company
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The Business News Headlines 19 October 2019

It's the end of the trading week and stocks fell today as a result of worries regarding the slow growth numbers coming out of China. Welcome to the business news headlines for Friday the 18th day of October. On tap:
The link investors worry about with China;
If you experienced a Verizon outage you are not alone;
More tariff trouble this time for Europe;
App troubles continue for Chipotle;
Amex says corporate spending is down;
Baby powder back in the news;
YOU...yes you...are buying more Coke products.
Those stories and more plus, because it's Friday we've got Jeff Pitts in from Cityview to chat it up about "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro. We've got sports, ballet, music and all sorts of entertainment...plus our regular commentary.  Hey...it's Friday and you deserve a break. Listen here. 

The Business News and More 16 October 2019

Yesterday everybody was excited about earnings reports...today...not so much. We've got a full boat for you let's get started:
Yesterday was a memory as retail sales numbers sank Wall Street;
The United Auto Workers and General Motors...a settlement?
Need new tires before winter? We've got a tip;
Airlines are fretting over the return of the Boeing Max 737;
The ghost of 2016 comes back to haunt Wells Fargo;
Big meat is falling in love with...no meat.
Those stories plus my two-part interview with Des Moines mayoral candidate former Sen. Jack Hatch. In Part One we'll review who Jack is and why he is running. He'll talk about water, Des Moines, education and "forgotten neighborhoods". Here is Part One. 
Then in Part Two we'll talk about something nobody seems to want to discuss and that is the crushing poverty just outside of downtown. He's got some ideas and we were eager to listen. Plus, and yes, we'll talk about potholes.  Here is Part Two with Jack Hatch.
Thanks for listening! 

Iowa - A Low Wage State & Why

The reality is that Iowa lags behind other neighboring states when it comes to wages ranging from a few thousand dollars less than the average wage in Nebraska to over $14,000 less than the average wage earner in Minnesota. It's a statistic you don't often hear from those who are trying to recruit and retain workers to the Hawkeye State. To flesh this out a bit our guest is Natalie Veldhouse a research associate at the Iowa Policy Project. Here is that story. 
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. 
Our Sponsors
AARP-Iowa
National Tractor Parts Dealer Association
Oasis - A Paychex Company
Tero International

The Business News Headlines & More 2 October 2019

Yesterday it was manufacturing numbers that sent the markets down...today the employment numbers did the same. Welcome to the business news headlines for Wednesday the 2nd of October.  Today:
The markets tanked and why;
The U.S. has a "hiring" problem;
High prices got you down? There is Zulily ya know;
What's new for cars? The 7 year loan;
Automakers see trouble ahead;
Why not spend $ on your current workforce...no, really.
Those stories and more along with this conversation with Kari Carney and Julia McGuire from 1,000 Friends of Iowa. I know...right?  You'll hear about the work they do and why it's becoming even more important as we look to the future of climate change. Listen here. 

The Business News Headlines & More 1 October 2019

Wall Street closed yesterday up on the hope of renewed talks between the U.S. and China and then...today...out came a report on U.S. manufacturing. That story and what happened on Wall Street opens up our first newscast of a new month:
Manufacturing data weak...very;
President Trump calls the Fed "pathetic";
Facebook to sue the United States if Warren is elected;
The "Wealth Tax" is back in the news;
GM lays off thousands more;
Amazon and NEW grocery stores;
Amazon 3rd party sellers pay thousands to talk to a person.
Those stories and a look at what the top 23 employers in Iowa have to say about the economy moving forward. You might say it's a "mixed bag" in this interview with Georgia Van Gundy the Executive Director of the Iowa Business Council done for us by Jeff Stein the News & Program Director of News/Talk 1540 KXEL. Here is that story. 
Thanks for listening!