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Let Iowa small businesses swipe smarter, not harder
Running a small business in Iowa means learning to stretch every dollar. I work long hours, manage tight margins, and hustle to build something meaningful in locations that big chains overlook. But no matter how efficient I get, there’s one…
Real business value: What do you want from your business?
“Start with why” is good, impactful business advice. In fact, there is an entire book…
Test your marketing for a bigger payoff
Organizations are always interested in how well their marketing is performing. Staff often monitor KPIs…
The rise of influencer marketing
Today, influencer marketing is exclusively associated with social media users who market products to their…
Breaking down the drivers of real estate values
As a key part of our business, we collect and analyze trends in real estate…
Registered Apprenticeship a rewarding option for business, employee
In today’s ever-changing workforce, employers have to find unique tactics to attract skilled employees. A…
Iowa a gold standard example of fiscal responsibility
President Joe Biden and members of Congress should pay more attention to the pro-growth fiscal…
Economic headwinds and outsourcing
Here we are on the cusp of Q4, and my email is popping with requests…
Ways to measure your brand power
One of the most common types of projects our clients ask us to design is…
The importance of discipline in investing (and football)
I’ve been blessed to have a long career, both in the financial world and as…
Let’s stop talking about work-life balance
I’ve lost count of how many companies talk about employee work-life “balance.” Magazine articles, webinars,…
Time for tax credit reform and transparency
Iowa’s historic tax reforms this year focused on lowering the income tax rates paid by…
Where did Iowa’s local COVID-19 relief funds go?
The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year…
When an entrepreneur learned to ride a bike
I have vague memories of learning how to ride a bike. Many of my friends…
Work Based Learning a rewarding workforce option
IowaWORKS can help businesses connect with Work Based Learning (WBL) opportunities that could benefit both…
Welcoming refugees essential to Iowa’s economic future
Though it’s a long drive on I-80 between Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs, our regional…