Technology

The Business News Headlines 29 September 2021

Stick around after the news headlines for a conversation about refugees and immigrants with our guest Karri True-Funk from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.  But first the news:
Ultra luxury vehicles go all electric;
Dollar Tree announces a price shift;
Oil is back in the news;
Hey, it's National Coffee Day;
Then it's International Coffee Day;
The Wall Street Report;
Pot in the office...no, it's a thing, really.
For the interview you'll meet Kerri True-Funk who is a Field Office Director for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. This is some top-of-mind information as the U.S. gets ready to welcome thousands of Afghan refugees. We'll talk about what they do, how they find jobs and housing and how businesses can benefit by partnering with them.  You can hear all of that right...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 28 September 2021

Welcome back to what is an international bit of business news headlines. Click ahead to listen to my conversation with Alex Ho from a company called Tractor-Line and based in Malaysia.  But, first the news:
Stocks tumble led down by tech;
Consumer Confidence takes a beating;
Mixing politics and business at FedEx;
JP Morgan Chase and the government shutdown;
Amazon, Employees and Court;
It's more than chips hurting automakers;
The Wall Street Report;
The "Great Reset" for younger Americans.
Those stories plus an international conversation with Alex Ho who is a director of sales and marketing for the Malaysian company Tractor-Line. It was some rough technology but the high points of the conversation are 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.

From Malaysia Meet Alex Ho and Tractor-Line

Technology can be our friend...sometimes. Stay with us on this as you are about to meet Alex Ho the director of sales and marketing for Tractor-Line a company based in Malaysia. The company has been in operation since 1989 and isn't limited to just manufacturing but the entire  process from design to production, machining to engineering, raw materials to finished goods and packaging. 
In addition the company specializes in a host of tractor parts hydraulic to axles, cylinders to buckets. Alex tells us their products are equal or better than some OEM parts. Finally Tractor-Line has the capacity to service global customers and seeking relationships with wholesalers, dealers, parts importers, and brands for OEM collaboration in industries that include construction, forestry, mining and agriculture. As a member of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) the company is seeking new frontiers for their services. Here is Alex: 
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 27 September 2021

Welcome back and we hope you had a great weekend. The weather here, for the first weekend of Autumn was...amazing. Our interview today is with the former Chief of Staff for First Lady Michelle Obama. Jackie Norris is back in Iowa running a business and now running for the Des Moines Public School Board.  But first the news:
Retailers take some drastic action due to supply issues;
Oops, Amazon is ticking off more customers;
The price of oil is headed up and why;
Tesla may dominate the EV market but...there is a but;
A new economic report is out about our GDP;
The Wall Street Report
Women leaders and "Office Housework".
Then stick with us for this conversation with business owner Jackie Norris. She served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, came back to Iowa to run a company and is now running for the Des Moines Public School Board. We talk about it all...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 23 September 2021

Day two of the rebound on Wall Street but that's not the only big story from today and, make sure you stick around for an interesting conversation featuring author Beth Hoffman and her remarkable journey from the East and West Coasts...to a tiny town in Iowa.  But, first the news:
Amazon, AI Cameras and Unhappy Drivers;
Texas, Israel and Ben & Jerry's Ice Crème;
More retail concerns for the holidays;
Chips...we're talking chips again;
No shortage of unemployed workers...new numbers;
The Wall Street Report
The "Snowbirds" are once again headed south.
For the interview you'll meet educator, reporter, farmer and now author Beth Hoffman and the story of her remarkable journey. And her new book "Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America".
We think you'll enjoy our conversation and to listen...click here.
Thanks for coming by!
 
 

The Business News Headlines 14 September 2021

So the consumer price index (CPI) went down in August. That's a good thing, right? Well, that all depends. Wall Street was having none of it. Welcome to the Tuesday Edition of the business news headlines. Plus don't miss the conversation about video, video production and your business from Tero International and former TV production pro, Nika Clark. But first:
CPI down, Wall Street says, "meh";
Is college worth the price?
South Korea to fine Google...the story;
Some automakers cry foul about the EV incentives;
Carrot or Stick - Part Two and Delta Airlines;
The Wall Street Report;
Dread gives way to fear about the commute & some answers.
Those stories plus you'll meet Nika Clark the person behind the amazing video production pieces being sent out from Tero International. But, this conversation is really about you and your business. Now Tero is allowing others to use their amazing studio and what you get for the price is well worth it. Plus a shout out to our friend Jeff Greenfield a leader in marketing/advertising because this story matches what we were talking about last month.  To listen to Nika, just click here.
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.
 

You, Your Business, Your Message and Video with Nika Clark

Not long ago my guest was veteran broadcaster Jeff Greenfield who spoke about the power of the voice in radio and podcasting and how, when mixed with video, it creates an almost magical way to connect with consumers. Here is the link to that conversation.  Today we're visiting with Nika Clark a veteran photo journalist who now is the videographer for Tero International. Here we talk about the studio that is available for businesses to create stunning sales, marketing or explainer videos. In addition there are a host of services offered by Tero International from writing to training and more. 
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 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.