Retail Tips

Retail Online Sales Tax - A Nightmare for Sellers

Back in November we promised you a return conversation with attorney George Isaacson from Brann & Isaacson a law firm in Maine. Mr. Isaacson represents multi–channel marketers and electronic merchants throughout the United States in connection with state sales, use and income tax matters, as well as regulatory issues.  I sat down with George in Maricopa, Arizona where he was speaking to members of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association about the impact that 12,000 tax entities in the United States has on the economics of small and medium size companies. What he says will shock you and how to fix it may give those of you selling on the Internet some...hope. 
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 9 December 2019

Welcome back to a new work-week and the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines. On tap for you today:
Good news for smaller retailers this holiday season;
Some small retail tips to promote business;
Things got political today for Amazon;
Are dollar stores killing Americans?
Economist Paul Volker has died a look back;
Tough times for 3,200 truck drivers;
Wait! What happened to Bitcoin?
Those stories plus a conversation with Laura Kinnard from DMBizMixer about a host of upcoming business education and networking options for you. To listen to that conversation, recorded at our favorite coffee shop, Ground for Celebration in Windsor Heights, Iowa...just click here.
Thanks for listening. 

Business Events with Laura Kinnard

It's Thanksgiving Week but we've still got business events happening in the Des Moines Metro from cupcakes to clothing to some small business tips ahead of Small Business Saturday Laura Kinnard has the info. Laura teaches entrepreneurship at Drake University and DMACC plus has The Runway at Southridge. Here is her blog DMBizMixer and if you want your event listed, and talked about, just use #DMBizEvents in your social media and Laura will pick it up. 
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

Back! Marketing for Business with Phil K. James

Each month I get to sit down with the brains behind Good Milkshake Digital, Phil K. James and talk about Marketing4Business. It's what we do.  This month Phil wants to focus on increasing the interaction with consumers and encouraging those who already buy from you...to buy more.  It could be restaurants, grocery stores, clothing stores...even legal. Finding the thinks your customer wants and then delivering means...everything.
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, 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

Quill and Nib - Our Small Business Spotlight

Years ago Rob Beers was chided by his Mother suggesting that he get a "real job". A guy that marches to his own drummer, Rob decided to go into retail but in something very special. Rob liked custom and high end pens. Our Small Business Spotlight shines on the Quill & Nib located in the Historic Valley Junction of West Des Moines, Iowa. Oh...and don't go looking for a website...as Rob says..."people find me because of my high quality work...and what we sell". You've got to listen. And then call him at 515-223-6299.
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.

The Business News Headlines 26 December 2018

OK, OK...we took yesterday off, sort of. It's the business news headlines from today and today we've got some great stories lined up for this Boxing Day:
The Dow has it's best single day...ever;
Amazon also had its best holiday season...ever;
Consumer spending up big time;
The GAP set to close its huge NYC store. Guess what the rent is per square foot;
Report the U.S. and China will hold trade talks next month;
Dollar Stores continue to surge across the United States...why?
Interest rates and the national debt. Some chiling numbers;
The Wall Street Report and it is...well...amazing.
Those stories plus we go Out to Lunch with Jonnnie Wright from the Buyosphere and Buyosphere University. We're talking first about three questions, the same three questions each of our guests get asked: Book, Movie and Job..we call it Quick Bites. To listen in to our three questions click here. 
Then we launch into a wide ranging conversation about business, consumers, marketing and so much more. Promise you will learn a great deal from this business lunch at Gilroy's Kitchen - Pub - Patio in West Des Moines, Iowa. To listen to us talk business over lunch click here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 4 December 2018

It was a shocking day on Wall Street as the Dow tanked by nearly 800 points. What's going on?  We've got that story along with some others that will have an impact on business:
The ingredients are all here for a slowdown;
Over 500 people lost their home due to a Wells Fargo...glitch;
Thompson Reuters to cut up to 3,200 jobs;
Big business is about to enter the pot market. So long Mom & Pop growers;
China says they will curb the export of Fentanyl but a U.S. company has their own trouble;
Slow economic growth is happening all across the globe. Why Trade wars;
What happened today and why on Wall Street
Those stories PLUS a Marketing Tip for small to mid-size businesses. I call this "The Wrong Messenger". That's all just a click away...
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 19 November 2018

We feared that the markets would open down today and they did...but then they kept marching downward. It's the business news headlines for Monday and here is what is just a click away:
A former Goldman Sachs VP is asking for $1.5 million said she was fired while on pregnancy leave;
Fast food companies are going to great lengths to find workers;
David's Bridal asking for Chapter 11 protection;
One of the reasons for the tech meltdown on Wall Street was...Apple;
The U.S. Canada, Mexico trade deal...could be in trouble;
Those stories and what the heck happened on Wall Street.
Also today we'll feature Cat Rocketship and the 10th Anniversary of Market Day Iowa which happens in downtown Des Moines this Friday...and yes, it's cool.
We'll also chat with Laura Kinnard from Drake University and DMBizMixer.com about Small Business Saturday tips and marketing idea.

Small Business Saturday with Laura Kinnard

We get pretty wrapped up in Small Business Saturday, which happens this Saturday all over the United States. Here Laura Kinnard from DMBizMixer.com and Drake University talks up the possibilities of finding unique gift items while supporting hyper-local businesses. And we'll offer just a couple of tips to get you in gear not only for Small Business Saturday but all the way through the holidays. Here is that recent podcast on 22 Small Business Tips.  And, here is Laura!
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.

22 Tips for Small Business Retail Success this Holiday Season

We're always hearing about how small business retail is being crushed by "big-box". I've always believed that if local retail would brush up on how they engage consumers, know what their consumers want/need and focus on delivering exceptional service they will win. When we saw this piece from Motley Fool it hit home and we aired this piece on The Week in Review on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. So here, in just nine minutes, are twenty-two solid ideas to help your brick and mortar retail business rock it this holiday season. Let's do this! 
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.