Technology

The Business News Headlines 6 March 2020

It's been a tough week for business around the globe as cities, states and nations battle the growing coronavirus threat. That was clear in the top business news stories today:
Free food samples at Costco...gone;
Boeing back in the news and it's not good news;
Tech companies and the spread of the virus;
GAP closed it's New York HQ;
A shake up at Chipotle;
Oil prices sliding;
THe Wall Street Report;
Pot stocks going up in smoke;
More schools close.
Those weighty stories plus the weekend is here and so is Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine with a big list of "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week. Stand up, music events, sports, arts and entertainment....oh...and bacon too.  CLICK here to listen. 
Thanks for listening! 

Business News Headlines 4 March 2020

It's the day after Super Tuesday and the markets reacted to the Joe Biden win and some positive economic/jobs news. Here's what we've got for you today:
Former Vice President Joe Biden wins big;
Starbucks cancelled an event;
President Trump gives airlines a pep-talk;
United Airlines cuts flights;
GM to take on Tesla;
Ikea recalls 800,000 pieces of furniture;
In iconic book publishing house is for sale;
The Wall Street Report
Pay people to move to your city...it works.
Those stories and a quick marketing tip about QR Codes and why we're seeing more of them.  To hear that fast three minutes click here. 
Thanks for listening! 

Welcome Back QR Codes - A Marketing Tip

Over the years the QR Code had fallen on hard times. People may not have known what they did, businesses didn't use them correctly and you had to download a QR Code Reader to view what was behind the image. It wasn't very handy.  But now Apple has addressed that issue and we're seeing more QR Codes being used again. Here is a quick marketing tip about what they are, the technology that is now widely available and where to get them.
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

Business News Headlines 28 February 2020

The investment world shuddered again today but it could have been much worse on Wall Street. It's Friday and here are the business news stories we've got for you:
Google his with the coronavirus;
Amazon workers to limit travel even in the U.S.;
Smart phone sales to take a beating;
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has a banking question;
GM to add 1,200 workers;
Usually when equities struggle gold is the go to but;
The Wall Street Report;
Some say it looks cool but it's a tough job working in the air.
Those stories and, because it's Friday, we've got some Friday Fun with Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine. Here we're talking about "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro from the final weekend of DSM Ice Skating to an event at the Hotel Pattee in Perry to the Russians are coming to a book sale in Johnston to me buying a Howitzer for my front yard at the local gun show. Also we've got music, sports... you get the idea. Join us as we riff a bit while celebrating the weekend. Listen right here! 
Thanks, as always, for coming by!

The Business News Headlines 25 February 2020

It was another lousy day on Wall Street as investors were spooked earlier in the day. The Dow has lost nearly 2,000 points in two days. In the business news headlines from today:
The past two days have some uttering the "R Word";
The White House says now is the time to buy stocks;
Chinatowns around the world are empty;
You think you have choice at the store? Not so fast;
The Wall Street Report;
The HOT job market cities are....
Those stories plus the very personal story of Robert "Lewy" Lewis. We're talking about a painful disability, the recognition that means so much to him and many other disabled owners and how medical cannabis gives him relief that allows him to continue working. Meet my friend "Lewy" from Quester and learn more about Disability Owned Business Enterprise. To hear that conversation, click here. 

The Very Personal Story of Robert "Lewy" Lewis

In the twelve years I've been doing the Business News Hour I've sat down with thousands of established business owners, startups, politicians and non-profits. I'm truly grateful to them for allowing me the opportunity to ask tough questions and learn more about them and their business. In all these years there have been less than four or five guests who have really opened up and gotten personal. That's not a dig and I get it. We all must be careful...after all it's business. You are about to hear a very personal story from Robert "Lewy" Lewis the owner of Quester Market Research. You may remember he was with us not long ago and here is that link. After we did that business interview I asked him if he would share his personal story and struggles about his disability and his pain. I was surprised when he agreed. Here you will learn more about the Disability Owned Business Enterprise and what that recognition meant to "Lewy". And then we're going to talk about a lifetime of pain and how medical cannabis is the one thing that has allowed "Lewy" to continue working. Spend some time with my friend...I think you'll find it enlightening and engaging. 
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 24 February 2020

The big business news story today was the melt-down on Wall Street as investors grapple with the continued spread of the coronavirus.  In other news for this Monday:
Mortgage Rates and the coronavirus link;
A union at...Target;
Best city in the U.S. to live, find a job and a home...
This packaging product is making a comeback;
The Wall Street Report;
In 2008 it was this that started ruining your work/life balance.
Those stories plus Laura Kinnard from DMBizMixer.com talks up some business events in the Greater Des Moines Metro and a nod to Sioux Falls. Hey, it's what we do each Monday. Here you'll learn about a legal program for small businesses, One Million Cups of DSM, an update on the event last week at The Runway Innovation and Events Studio at Southridge and many more business events in the Metro. Go, learn and get connected.  Click here to listen. 

The Business News Headlines 20 February 2020

It was a wild day on Wall Street as traders decided to take some profits.  Welcome to the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines.  Today:
Pizza is good so is the marketing and innovation;
General Mills and the $13 box of cereal;
Morgan Stanley is in a buying mode;
Nissan has a deal for you...sort of;
Mayor Pete and the American Dream;
The Wall Street Report;
Lingerie isn't what it used to be.
Those stories PLUS a conversation about the skills required to be a top sales person.  My guest is  Kyle Hopkins a Tero International Trainer who says the world of sales has transformed from product knowledge to having the ability to communicate and respond to a customers real needs.  You can listen here. 
Thanks for coming by! 

Think Before You Podcast

Every so often we put out a Marketing Tip. Today this will center on PODCASTING. It's a great way to connect with consumers if it's done well. One of the false narratives out there is that what you say is critically important. Well, that's not quite true. The "content" of the spoken word is worth about 7% of your ability to connect with your audience. What really impacts your message is the visual and the vocal presentation.
Give a listen and learn more about podcasting and what we use to make it all happen.  And, as promised here are the links to the products/services I mention.
Check out the BLUE Yeti;
Your link to B&H Audio/Visual;
Your link to Audacity;
Your link to Podbean to host your podcast.
Thanks for listening! 
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 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!