Insight on Business

Sequel Architecture - Small Business Spotlight

We love telling the stories of entrepreneurs and when they launch a new business in the middle of a pandemic...it really becomes special. Meet Steve Wilke-Shapiro who recently launched Sequel Architecture a full service design firm doing business across Iowa. Listen to the thoughtful way Steve approaches each project, some tips on hiring an architect, the story of a 173 year-old building and more.  Meet Steve...in our Small Business Spotlight: 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday 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 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 & More 15 September 2020

Wall Street started the day up but by the bell the Dow ended...flat. It's the business news headlines for today and here's what we've got for you:

• Tech keeps marching forward;
• Louis DeJoy and the pricy new hires at USPS;
• U.S. Infrastructure center stage this week;
• She will be co-writing and directing a new movie about...
• Amazon and the new Luxury Products portal;
• Payment deferrals...how many Americans are doing this;
• The Wall Street Report;
• The Apple Show from today.

Those stories and we'll welcome Debbie Marshall to our broadcast. Debbie is the principal at Thrive Consulting and she's here to offer up some tips and ideas to help job seekers stand out from the crowd in a very, very tight job market.

Thanks for listening!

The Business News & More 14 September 2020

It's a brand new business week and thanks for coming by for the business news headlines. Here's what we have for you today:

• There are a record 12 deals in the IPO Pipeline;
• Europe braces for a tough winter;
• Who you are impacts your economics;
• Did we learn from the Great Recession;
• They say the future of business is...not good and why;
• The Wall Street Report
• The Grocery BOOM is...gone.

Those stories PLUS you'll meet Farmer/Attorney Warren Varley who is from Stuart, Iowa and is running for the Iowa State Senate in a sprawling district that includes Adar, Cass, Dallas, Guthrie and part of Polk County.  We'll talk about rural economic development, the factors that Iowa should be paying attention to. We'll chat about taxes, tax credits, education and more.

Thanks for listening! 

Hawkeye on Safety & It's FREE!

Several months ago there was talk that the Hawkeye on Safety program would be scrapped but then folks got together and decided to create a virtual event. Here to explain the program, who can come and more is Tammi Goerdt the Director of Continuing Education at the Heartland Center for Occupational Health & Safety at the University of Iowa and Bill Gerhard the President of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council.  And, you can register today at HawkeyeOnSafety.com...let's go! 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday 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 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 & More 17 August 2020

While we're back in full...much of Iowa continues to lag due to the major storm that raced through the state last Monday.  Calls for help in Eastern Iowa continue. Here's what we've got for you today:

• Mortgage delinquency numbers are shocking;
• Fast Food and Fast Casual seeking thousands of workers;
• What was that about oil prices today;
• Are small businesses beating the odds;
• She says the pandemic is in the "rear view mirror";
• The Wall Street Report;
• Working Moms and Dads at a "breaking point".

Those stories and a segment about the upcoming Hawkeye on Safety program that is open for everybody and...FREE to attend. Here to explain the program, who can come and more is Tammi Goerdt the Director of Continuing Education at the Heartland Center for Occupational Health & Safety at the University of Iowa and Bill Gerhard the President of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council.  And, you can register today at HawkeyeOnSafety.com...let's go!

Thanks for listening!  

The Business News & More 2 July 2020

Welcome to the "Day Before a Holiday" day! It's the business news headlines for July the 2nd and we've got plenty waiting and just a click away:

• The Jobs Report, The Jobs Report! But...;
• This housing story doesn't make sense butl;
• Markets boom but small businesses worry;
• Tips for small to mid-size businesses to "Stay in the Game";
• Hiring and Construction;
• The Wall Street Report.

Those stories plus a conversation with John Vuong the principal at Local SEO Search. We're going to talk about your website, your customers, finding you, and ramping up your efforts to constantly build your business and see results with in comes to your ROI.

Thanks for coming by and for those of you in the U.S. who are celebrating, Happy Independence Day!

Admiral Michael Franken - Candidate U.S. Senate - Iowa

This marks the second time we've been able to interview Admiral Michael Franken as he attempts to become the next U.S. Senator from the State of Iowa. Here Franken speaks to his roots on an Iowa farm and working in a meat processing facility. How lessons learned in Rural Iowa became the bedrock of a life of military and public service. Along the way we'll talk policy and what the response to COVID19 should have been. This part one of a two part conversation. 

Here, in part two of my interview with Admiral Michael Franken, we talk about several public policy issues from jobs to climate change, to agriculture to rural broadband access to roads, bridges and more. "This is about leadership, proven leadership." - Michael Franken.  Here is his campaign website which speaks to what is right for...Iowa. 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday 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 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. 

Our Sponsors

AARP-Iowa

National Tractor Parts Dealer Association

Oasis - A Paychex Company

The Business News & More 4 February 2020

Trade issues? What trade issues? Coronavirus? What coronavirus? It's the business news headlines for Tuesday the 4th of February.  Here's what we have on tap:

• Tesla's stock up by 40% in TWO days;
• The link between oil, gas and coronavirus;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Visa is changing "swipe" fees;
• Middle Class Renters...in trouble;
• Macy's is closing more stores;
• Yet, this retail chain is opening up many more.

Those stories plus Sam Reed, who owns the startup Leap Here, joins me to talk about the Black & Gold Ball that takes place later this month. It's a great time for a great cause. Love for you to join us and attend. Here is the link for tickets.  See you on the 22nd and congratulations to the young people who will be honored that evening. 

Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines & More 15 January 2020

It's true, the business news headlines are coming to you this week from Arizona where it's brown...not white with snow like back home in Iowa.  In the news today:

• The new trade deal and agriculture...what if?
• No joy in "Toyland" says Target;
• GM and temporary workers;
• Tesla may win with the new trade deal but not for cars;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Workers and Weight an issue nobody wants to discuss.

Those stories and we'll talk construction with Creighton Cox, a return visitor to the News Hour, and this time is's about the construction industry both on a local and national level. Creighton recently became the Business Development Manager for Turner Construction an international company. The fact that Creighton is in this position tells us that the company is planning some serious work in the Hawkeye State...yes? 

Thanks for listening!

Meet Admiral Mike Franken - Democrat for the U.S. Senate - Iowa

While the Business News Hour focuses on economics and business we often have the opportunity to sit down with people seeking office to get their take on those two items. Here we'll introduce you to Admiral Mike Franken of Iowa who is running to become the Democratic Nominee for the United States Senate. Here we do the introduction and start into some policy issues. Here is part one:

Here is the second of our two-part conversation with Democratic Candidate for the United States Senate, Admiral Mike Franken. We sat down in a coffee shop in Iowa and talked policy. Enjoy!  This originally aired on News/Talk 1540 based in Eastern 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

Tero International