Archive for October 2005

Dear Mr. Berko:

I met a broker at a church function, and his investment ideas made sense to me. He will not buy any issues that make tobacco or alcohol, destroy the environment, use live …

What are you recognized as being “the best” at?

The answer to this question may be the most important in your career. Not just for your job, but to advance your life and yourself.

Think …

Nollen Plaza appeared forlorn and abandoned recently on what otherwise was a glorious fall day. Food carts that had beckoned downtown workers from their cubicles for a quick hot dog or bratwurst and a breath …

Hi. My name is Jim, and I’m a gasoholic.

Every day I drive 25 miles to work and, if I’m remembering my story problems from math class correctly, 25 miles back home. Sure, it takes …

More than 16 million Americans recently watched the premiere of a new television show that puts a woman where none has gone before: the Oval Office. The draw of “Commander in Chief” is its answer …

I lost a close friend this past week. A friend who started out as a client more than 10 years ago. One of the many lessons I learned from her was what a good client …

Jack Fries considers Valerie Ashley his new best friend.

Almost monthly, he makes a list of shopping trips and errands for her to do, from picking out new neckties to taking his car in to …

As double-digit stock market returns become increasingly distant in investors’ rear-view mirrors, more and more are looking at the potential for fine-tuning their portfolios’ performance with hedge funds and other alternative investments.

Not surprisingly, Iowa …

When Tanya Keith saw how fast properties were being snatched up in Des Moines’ East Village earlier this year, she knew she had to act fast if she wanted to find a place there for …

There’s no shortage of potential clients. Connie Freeman owns and manages two home health-care companies, Universal Pediatric Services Inc. and Ultimate Nursing Services of Iowa Inc., and figures her nearly 900 employees are reaching just …